Luxury casinos in the Chinese Macao: the Las Vegas of the Orient
This former Portuguese enclave has always been famous as a place of gambling and luxury. Gambling was legalised here in 1847 and in 1962, the former government granted a monopoly for operation of gambling in all casinos to SJM Holdings. Macao has been administrated since 1999 by the Chinese government which dissolved SJM Holding and established a new licence for casinos.
The world of luxury casinos
Macao is the only place in China where gambling is legal. It is a special administration region (SAR) of China which is home to several of the most incredible casinos in the world, housed in buildings boasting luxurious architecture.
You will find here a complete range of services including luxury dining, exciting nightlife and luxury accommodation. Many of the almost 40 casinos are located in luxurious world-famous hotels. Many of the casinos here are however part of resort complexes where you will find several hotels offering accommodation of the very highest luxury standards. The largest of these resorts is Cotai, where you will find the largest casino in the world, Venetian Macao, the look of which is reminiscent of Venice.
Las Vegas or Macao?
Macao is a renowned location for gambling, culture and history. It is visited by around 31 million people every year. 2/3 are made up of visitors and avid gamblers from China and 1/4 from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Macao offers approximately 29,725 rooms in 73 hotels. About another 6,300 rooms will be gradually added to this number over the course of this year.
In 2006, Macao reported higher incomes than Las Vegas, thanks to which it was declared the largest casino area in the world.
James Bond in Macao
The storry of Skyfall, one of the most successful Bond with Daniel Craig from 2012, is set to Floating Dragon Casino in Macau. But do not worry, the real Macao is a luxury destinations and it looks like glossy las vegas much more than a dangerous dark place.
