MGM Mirage opened its highly anticipated Internet casino last week at www.playmgmmirage.com with little fanfare. Company officials describe the opening as a "soft launch" designed to test and evaluate the system with low player volume. The official grand opening is expected in about a month.

The casino, which is licensed by the Isle of Man, does not accept U.S. bets.

MGM Mirage owns a number of popular Las Vegas casinos including Bellagio, Treasure Island, and MGM Grand.