Remember this serene image of Cotai strip in Macau, because it is about to look a lot more crowded in a few years’ time – MGM Resorts International, operator of MGM Grand China, has just announced a US$2.5 billion hotel-casino project that may add another 1,600 hotel rooms and 500 gaming tables to the popular gambling district in Macau.

The announcement preceded a similar development project by SJM, which operates more than half of Macau’s 35 casinos. SJM’s project will become its first hotel-casino in the district, adding its tally to 21 casinos in the city. Combined, the two projects by MGM and SJM will add close to 4,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 gaming tables to Cotai.

There is no word on the official launch date, or hotel names, but as the two projects will take up to 36 months to complete, both casino-hotels will likely be ready after 2015. 

Can't wait until 2015? See our review of the Balinese massage at Banyan Tree Macau here.