SanMiguel

Macau, transformation from Monte Carlo of the East into Las Vegas of the East


Gambling in Macau was legalized in the 1850's under the rule of the Portuguese and since then Macau has become
known worldwide as the "Monte Carlo of the Orient", and gambling has become a huge part of Macau's economy.
Up to the 20th century only Chinese games were played, the most popular being fantan. Western-style casino games
were only introduced more recently. The first casino monopoly concession was granted to the Tai Xing Company in 1937.
The company was, however, too conservative to fully exploit the economic potential of gambling. In 1961, the government
granted the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) the monopoly rights to all forms of gambling. The licence
was extended in 1986 for another 15 years but expired at the end of 2001. In 2002, the Macau government ended the
monopoly system and 3 (later 6) casino operating concessions (and subconcessions) are granted to Sociedade de Jogos
de Macau (SJM, an 80% owned subsidiary of STDM), Wynn Resorts (Macau), Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Casino, the partnership
of Pansy Ho and MGM, and the partnership of Melco and PBL. Today, there are sixteen casinos operated by the STDM, and
they are still crucial to the casino industry in Macau, but in Macau 2004, the opening of the Sands ushered in the new era.

Gambling in Macau plays an important role in the economy of the city. Many Hong Kong and mainland tourists like gambling there.
However, not many local people in Macau visit casinos. Generally, gambling in Macau can be divided into three different
categories: casino games, horse racing and greyhound racing. There is also sports betting and a number of lotteries.
At the present time Macau does not license online gaming operations.

Macau's casinos offer the largest variety of casinos game anywhere in the world, combining both established western favourites
with long popular eastern game of chance. Players can opt for such games as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, boule, "big and small",
fantan, keno, or they can choose from a glittering array of slot machines (called "hungry tigers" locally) which are computer-
linked for super jackpot pay-outs.



September 2006:
There are presently 24 casinos in operation in Macau. 15 of which are either owned or managed by Dr. Stanley Ho's SJM.
There is also the Greek Mythology Casino owned by Ng Man-sun, The Galaxy Waldo, Rio & Grand Waldo Casinos owned by
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Sands Macau owned by Sheldon Adelson's Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Macau owned by Wynn Resorts


interesting article about Sheldon Adelson (Sands, Venetian), Steve Wynn and Stanley Ho (Lisboa):
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/0328/142_print.html


List of Casinos: (will be updated from time to time)
Casino Lisboa (since 1970)
Macau Palace Casino (since early 1970s)
Casa Real Hotel & Casino (since 2002)
Golden Sands Macau (since May 2004)
Galaxy Waldo Casino (since July 2004)
Fisherman's Wharf Entertainment Complex (since 31 Dec 2005)
Grand Emperor Palace Casino (since first week of Jan 2006)
Diamond Casino at Macau Holiday Inn (reopened in Jan 2006)
Galaxy Rio Casino (since last week of Jan 2006)
Galaxy Grand Waldo Casino (since May 2006)
Macau Wynn (since Sep 2006)
Galaxy Starworld Hotel & Casino (since 19 Oct 2006)
MGM Grand Macau under construction, scheduled to open in 2007

Casino Kingsway
Fortuna Casino
Golden Dragon Casino
Grand View Hotel and Casino
Jai Alai Casino
Mandarin Oriental Casino
New Century Casino & Greek Mythology Casino


Pictures: (more will come!)

its amazing how much Macau has changed since my last visit (oct 2004)
i surely will have to do lotta pics when i go there again in jan/feb 2007


^ land reclamation, for more casinos?


^ before 2004

August 2006

^ seen from Taipa Island

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SanMiguel

Casino Kingsway
Rua Luis Gonzaga Gomes, No. 230, Hotel Kingsway, Macau Peninsula
(230 Luis Gonzaga Gomes Road)

opening: 12:00pm - 4:00am, 20 slots and 8 table games


Located in the heart of the Macau's newly commercial district of Porto Exterior, only 3 minutes' drive
from the Macau Pier. Kingsway Hotel offers magnificent views of Macau and Taipa Island. To some famous
sightseeing spots only steps away. Kingsway Hotel's unrivalled location offers total convenience for
both travelling business executives and holiday-makers alike


location map:


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If you got/found another nice pic of this casino/hotel, send me the picture or URL of the picture and i will put it here too.
I will mention your name whe it is made by you; when it's not from you, pls tell me the name of the photographer if u know his name.
Thank you

SanMiguel

Casino Lisboa + Crystal Palace Casino
Avenida de Lisboa, No. 2-4, Hotel Lisboa, Macau Peninsula
(Lisbon Avenue)

Dr Stanley Ho's flagship casino located within the Hotel Lisboa.
Originally built in 1970 and expanded in 1991.

location map:



^ Crystal Palace entrance


^ Casino Lisboa's (south entrance) at corner Avenida Do Amizade & Ave do Infante D. Henrique


^ West Entrance


^v older pics of West Entrance

















^ in April 2006, Macau Wynn at right


^ facade at Rua do Foshan, April 2006

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^ Wynn in the background



If you got/found another nice pic of this casino/hotel, send me the picture or URL of the picture and i will put it here too.
I will mention your name whe it is made by you; when it's not from you, pls tell me the name of the photographer if u know his name.
Thank you

SanMiguel

Casa Real Hotel & Casino
Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, No. 1118, International centre, Macau Peninsula
(1118 Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues Avenue)




Opened in 2002, renovation in 2004.
Casa Real is the first theme hotel - a Portuguese Palace that offers the warmth and the hospitality of Portuguese culture.
The hotel also houses the Casa Real Casino, which is also the latest addition to the thriving gaming industry in Macau.

The Portuguese them permeates throughout the hotel, which has been given a total makeover, right down to the furnishings
in the rooms to the signages on the walls. There is a Chinese Restaurant name Imperial Restaurant, The Pena Western Restaurant,
The Knight Bar, The Imperial Sauna, swimming pool, health club, conference rooms and ample parking.


location map:


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^ seen from Guia Hill

the new look of Casa Real Hotel and Casino:
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If you got/found another nice pic of this casino/hotel, send me the picture or URL of the picture and i will put it here too.
I will mention your name whe it is made by you; when it's not from you, pls tell me the name of the photographer if u know his name.
Thank you

SanMiguel

Crown Macau

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