UPDATE 1-MGM Mirage seeks to amend debt agreements

* Extended maturity sought for some credit accords

* Seeks settlement with NJ over Macau venture partner

* Shares down 1 pct

ATLANTA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Casino operator MGM Mirage (MGM.N) is seeking amendments to credit agreements that would extend the maturity for a substantial portion of $5.55 billion of senior debt, the company said on Monday.

MGM Mirage said it was looking to extend the maturities to Feb. 21, 2014, from Oct. 3, 2011, and has asked lenders to approve the change by later this month.

In a statement, the company cited "strong initial support" from leading lenders for the proposed accord and said it was working with the rest of its lender syndicate.

"These amendments would extend a significant portion of our credit facilities and enhance our debt maturity profile," MGM Mirage Chief Financial Officer Dan D'Arrigo said.

MGM Mirage also said it was involved in settlement talks with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement over a matter involving its Macau joint venture partner, businesswoman Pansy Ho.

The talks have centered on the casino company placing its 50 percent stake in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and related land in Atlantic City into a divestiture trust for which MGM Mirage would be the sole economic beneficiary, the company added.

MGM said that while no definitive settlement with the Division of Gaming Enforcement has been reached, it has asked its lenders to consent to the trust arrangement. It added that any settlement needed approval of New Jersey gaming officials.

Last year, New Jersey's gaming enforcement division recommended that the state Casino Control Commission find Ho an unsuitable partner and advised that MGM cut ties with her.

"We would like to put this matter behind us and move forward with the compelling growth opportunities we have in Macau," MGM Mirage Chief Executive Jim Murren said in the statement.

Atlantic City's Borgata casino is operated by a 50-50 joint venture between MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming Corp (BYD.N).

Shares of MGM Mirage were down 1.7 percent to $10.75 in morning trading, while Boyd Gaming was off 1.2 percent to $7.55. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs; editing by John Wallace)