Macau

Macau is quickly earning a formidable reputation as the world’s latest gambling haven. Indeed, it is one of Macau’s main goals to overtake Las Vegas as the gaming capital of the world.

And what an impression this tiny peninsula on the Chinese mainland is making!

The whole of Macau fits into 28 km², yet by 2006 the laid-back former Portuguese colony had surpassed the Las Vegas Strip in gambling revenues, pulling in almost $7 billion at a growth rate of 22% per year!

Over the last few years, at least $10 billion worth of capital investments have been injected into various casino resort projects in Macua, mainly on the Cotai Strip.

Clearly, hotel and casino resorts in the Far East can look forward to a bright future, as Asia continues to enjoy increasing affluence and a slackening on anti-gambling restrictions.

China and Gambling

While gambling is banned in the rest of mainland China, the country’s people have flocked to Macau to indulge in a practice that is deeply ingrained (although officially frowned upon) in the national culture.

With recent rises in affluence and relaxed travel restrictions in China, you can often find Chinese players standing three-deep at Macau’s packed gaming tables.

Top Hotel and Casino Resorts in Macau:

There are already almost 30 hotel and casino resorts on the Macau Peninsula, with the focal point being the Cotai Strip.

The Cotai Strip

The Cotai Strip is the brainchild of American billionaire owner of the Las Vegas Sands company, Sheldon Adelson.

Adelson named the gigantic expanse of concentrated resort area after its Las Vegas counterpart, choosing the $2.4 billion The Venetian Macau hotel and casino resort as the flagship casino on The Cotai Strip.

Las Vegas Sands also owns and operates Sands Macau, while Adelson plans to open more hotels on the strip under brands like Four Seasons, Sheraton and St. Regis.