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    Gambling in Macau: Expansion, concerns, and facts

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    Macau, the Las Vegas of the East, faces some interesting developments that may impact gaming income.

    Macau is a region of China that is famous among travellers for many reasons. Tourists flock towards this small region for its beautiful weather and sights like the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macau Grand Prix.

    It’s also very popular among gamblers and has been dubbed the ‘Las Vegas of the East’.

    In this article, we examine how Macau manages to make more than double from gambling than Las Vegas does on a yearly basis.

    Small but lucrative

    Compared to Las Vegas, Macau is quite small, yet it manages to make far more in gambling revenue every year. Las Vegas has around 42.9 million people who visit each year, and around 69% of them participate in gambling activities. Macau gets over 30 million visitors, and 74% of them come with the purpose of gambling.

    It’s strange to think that despite the average gambling budget in Las Vegas being around $619 compared to Macau’s $250, the latter easily wins in terms of gambling revenue. Las Vegas brings in around $11.1 billion annually, whereas Macau brings in around $28 billion.

    This should answer the question of whether the future is bright for land-based gaming entertainment, what with the booming online casino industry. It certainly looks like there's a place for both!

    While Macau has fewer than half the number of casino options in the world, it attracts serious gamblers. Fewer casinos lead to more game options.

    Macau casinos don’t permit drinking and smoking while gaming, so you don’t go for social entertainment; you visit the casinos for gambling only. In contrast, Las Vegas is all about entertainment, and there are different types of entertainment you can indulge in while there.

    Facts to keep in mind

    Gambling is mostly illegal in all areas surrounding Macau, making it the only option for many residing within the region or close to it. Besides online gambling, of course. As we've already mentioned, gambling regulations in China and the region are pretty strict.

    Still, there is a long list of top-rated international casinos from which you can play safely online if you don't plan on visiting Macau anytime soon.

    Portugal played a big role in bringing gambling to Macau. The Portuguese government legalised gambling in Macau in 1849. With this move, it became a major gambling hub and even received the nickname ‘Gambling capital of the world’.

    Today, Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal. Gaming has had a big impact on the tourism industry and the economy as a whole.

    How Japan and Thailand’s entry will impact Macau

    Japan and Thailand are planning to enter the land-based gambling scene, which has many experts questioning whether they will be a threat to Macau or have no large impact at all.

    The Asian casino market has been dominated by Macau, Singapore, and the Philippines. Other regions like South Korea are also working on casino developments, and reports state that the UAE is considering lifting its casino ban.

    While this is beneficial for the Asian market overall and even more convenient for those residing in regions where gambling entertainment is scarce, there’s also concern regarding how these expansions will impact the Macau market.

    The market is expected to see a drop in visitors. The upside, however, is that Asia’s global presence will increase. This is beneficial for the overall Asian economy, and many are still confident that Macau will remain the crown jewel of the Asian iGaming market.

    It can also be said that Macau, being part of mainland China, has the benefit of tapping into a huge market. It also doesn’t have a constant influx of travellers from Japan or Thailand. Should these regions open their own markets, it could be the perfect opportunity for Macau operators to expand and bring even more returns to Macau.

    Leave us a review on Trustpilot!

    Published: August 21, 2024

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    Deni avatar image

    Article by Deni

    CasinoWow Contributor

    Hi, I’m Deni and I am here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about online casinos and games and, of course, have fun while doing it. I do so through in-depth research and a keen eye for detail resulting in comprehensive reviews and engaging articles. Let’s explore the iGaming world together!

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