Officials of the M Resort have announced today that Nevada Gaming Commission has approved a non-restricted gaming license for the $1.07 billion resort scheduled to make its official debut on March 1st, 2009.

The 390-room hotel-casino, which is a combined project between the Marnell family and the Las Vegas hotel operator, MGM Mirage, sits on 80 acre property located on the corner or Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway in Henderson.

M Resort Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Marnell III told the Nevada Gaming regulators that opening a new hotel under the actual economic situation is not the optimal thing to do, but that he is sure that his resort and casino will do well thanks to a careful and detailed business plan.

"There is no doubt that this won't be a cake walk." Marnell said during the hearing.

Marnell also defended his decision to own and operate all nine restaurants and bars at the property, saying that it will contribute to change the current business model in where some restaurants are owned and operated by the hotel or casino companies while many others are simply leased or owned by third parties renting the space inside the properties.

Some of the innovations introduced by the new Las Vegas resort are a wholly-owned gasoline station where customers can redeem player reward points for gasoline and an on-property, full-service pharmacy, in where both customers and employees can get their prescriptions or buy health plans.

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