Top Asian Casinos

Casinos in Asia are on the upswing. Their gross revenues for 2006 was projected to hit US$13 billion – up by 20 percent from the 2005 figures, according to Globalysis, a firm based in Las Vegas that monitors casino gaming markets in Asia. The increase was attributed to the opening of new casinos in Macau. Gaming experts foresee a $10 billion revenue for Macau casinos by 2010 and further rising to $15 billion by 2012. Currently, South Korea remains the top grosser with three new casinos.

Macau is definitely the top gaming destination in Asia. Known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” gambling is considered legal here. Being the gateway to mainland China, Macau enjoys the strong economic growth of the most populated country. Much of the success of Asia’s gaming industry is attributed to destination resorts that integrate meeting, convention and retail shopping areas in luxurious hotels.

Macau boasts of a birdcage-shaped casino in a three-storey complex at Hotel Lisboa owned by Asian gambling tycoon Stanley Ho. Lisboa used to be the only casino in Macau until 2004 when other competitors came in and built their own resorts near the area. One of Stanley Ho’s children has even teamed up with MGM Mirage to put up the MGM Grand Casino Hotel located just walking distance from Hotel Lisboa.

Sands Macau of Las Vegas Sands Corp., with its 740 tables, claims to be the world’s biggest casino and accommodates 40,000 gamblers each day mostly Chinese. Owner Sheldon Adelson is said to have recovered his $260 million investment in only eight months.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Entertainment Ltd. of Hong Kong billionaire Lui Che-woo has put up five casinos in Macau especially meant for the Chinese. Superstar Jackie Chan has also invested in the $80 million Emperor Grand Hotel and Casino owned by Hong Kong entertainment mogul Albert Yeung. The Emperor Hotel on Cotai Strip near the Grand Lisboa and the Wynn Macau has over 300 rooms and 78 kilograms of gold bars inlaid in its lobby floor. The venue is fast becoming a famous place for gambling and entertainment.

The Waldo Casino has been accommodating players from China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia since July 2004. Located in the heart of Macau, the casino’s 43 tables in 16 semi-private VIP rooms feature baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud, sic bo and roulette plus more than 75 slot machines.

The Emperor Palace Casino has six floors of modern gaming rooms and two levels of VIP rooms, three levels of general gaming and one floor accommodating slot machines. These features make the casino one of the city’s elite gaming venues.

Singapore is also eyed as the next gambling venue. Las Vegas Sands has built a casino and a 2,500-room hotel and convention center just near the downtown area. A Singapore-based analyst said foreign investors are looking into Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and other Asian countries as their governments lift bans on casinos.