Off the coast of the Guangdong Province along the South China Sea lies a tropical island known as Macau. Over the years, this jurisdiction has become a haven for gamblers, apart from having a rich cultural heritage.
If you are familiar with the world of gambling, you know that Las Vegas is no longer at the top of casino hill. Macau has become the premier gambling destination for every gamer in the world. This is seen by its higher gambling revenues, larger casinos, also national casino apps as well as all the luxury afforded by a tropical island. Gambling is illegal on the Chinese mainland. Thus, Chinese gamers travel to Macau for weekend getaways and holidays. The vibrant metropolis will pamper you like Asian royals with over 40 casinos, 8900 video gaming and slot machines, and more than 3500 classic table game options.
How Did Macau Become the World’s Gambling Hub?
All players know that Macau is home to several of the best casinos and resorts, like those found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Thus, even students who feel the pressure of scoring high in their college essays, despite having the privilege of referring to free essay samples on Grades Fixer, can play casino games at the best facilities in Macau. With the help of professional gambling review sites like casinosterson, you can easily locate the top real money casino and score a life-changing casino win by playing any of its games. But, you must be careful to select an establishment that meets your needs.
As mentioned earlier, there are currently over 40 casinos in Macau. Their locations range from the City of Dreams, which has the best water shows, to Venetian Macau, which features its canals and gondolas. There is even a Cotai Strip, the city’s version of the Las Vegas Strip. So, you can be sure of enjoying a unique casino adventure when you visit Macau.
It goes without saying that Macau has not always been as prestigious as it is today. Its transition began in the 1960s when Stanley Ho, a gambler, established the ideal climate for casinos to grow and flourish into a billion-dollar industry. In 1840, the local Portuguese officials searched for new revenue streams to bolster the king’s treasuries. They decided to turn to vice as a reliable source of additional funds. As a result, a new regulation legalized gambling houses within Macau.
The small and underdeveloped community was swiftly turned into a “moral and material waste dump,” according to Camilo Pessanha, a term used by a Portuguese poet living in Macau during this era. As residents in Southern China and Hong Kong were lured into gambling on the tropical island during the 19th century, more immigrants poured into the region, filling up the king’s coffers fast.
To date, there is nothing much that has changed in relation to Macau’s social scene and behavior. Most of what Macau is today is due to its widely permissive gaming scene and the fact that the wealthy and powerful can do pretty much what they want. Once the Portuguese officially handed over Macau in 1999, the government of China saw Macau as an opportunity to try a new business model.
At the time, China was vehemently opposed to gambling as it prosecuted unlawful gambling within its borders as well as outside of them. Once it realized that tons of illegal gambling activity was occurring within its borders, it decided to direct the pent-up demand to Macau. It invested heavily in the tropical island and invited numerous international corporations to shop there. These investing partners made Macau the preferred vacation spot for the wealthy millionaires of the nation since it is the only territory under Chinese control where casinos are legal to run.
The Gambling Market in Macau
Gambling within Macau is available in four categories: casino games, sports betting, horse racing, and lotteries. Note that online casino gambling is illegal in Macau. However, this does not stop operators from racking in millions, especially from high-spending clientele who enjoy the unique casino features in Macau, where only high-stake games require gamers to place high-stake bets.
Generally, the city earned a gross revenue of $10.3 billion in 2021 from its gaming industry. However, in 2019, it earned a total of $36 billion in revenue, six times more than the revenue earned from the 144 casinos in Las Vegas. The industry has also provided plenty of employment opportunities to locals and produced 80% of the tax revenue for the regional government.
Other Interesting Facts About Macau
Besides being known as the world’s gambling hub, there are several other intriguing facts about Macau. Here are three fascinating facts about Macau.
1. Macau is the Last and Only European Colony Based in China
The Portuguese settled in Macau in 1557 but did not gain control of the region until 1887. The island became independent in 1999 when the Portuguese handed it over to the Government of China. As a result, the region features a unique blend of Western and Eastern architecture, with Portuguese as one of its official languages.
2. Macau’s Name Came About as a Misunderstanding
When the Portuguese arrived in Macau, they were interested in learning what the locals named the region. They were given the name ‘A-Ma-Gau,’ which was the temple’s name. However, the Portuguese took this as the entire region’s name, which has been known as its name ever since.
3. The Local Government of Macau Pays its Residents
Macau is an amazing place to live. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, the government of Macau provides permanent residents an annual $1,200 residential bonus, while temporary residents get approximately $670 per year.
Conclusion
Macau is the richest gambling hub in the world. It is the ultimate gambler paradise. So, if you want to try out your true and tested casino tips and learn casino life hacks from the greatest gamblers in the world, we recommend visiting Macau at least once in your lifetime. However, remember that you must practice responsible gambling as it is easy to chase losses and lose control.
