Jackie Chan plays a winning hand at casino ceremony

Jackie Chan's appearance in Macau yesterday stole the spotlight from moguls Stanley Ho Hung-sun and Albert Yeung Sau-shing.

Chan, a stakeholder in Emperor Group's casino-hotel project in the Nam Van district, promised to return for the hotel's grand opening scheduled for December 22.

Despite the capture of 11 illegal workers at the site this month, construction of the 288-room Hotel Animacao Imperial continues.

Mr Yeung, chairman of Emperor Group, said the design of the casino-hotel, a converted commercial building, would stun Macau.

'After all, just the renovation is costing $700 million,' he said.

The hotel, decorated in the style of a Victorian palace, will open in mid-October, Mr Yeung said.