Success Of Asian Gambling City Predicted to Continue

Magazine editor thinks that the recent introduction of hotels and casinos in Macau will keep it popular.

Macau will continue to be popular as a gambling venue, according to Total Gambler magazine editor Chris Marais.

Apparently, there are new casinos and hotels opening on a regular basis, which highlights how the former Portuguese colony has become a "hotbed" of gambling activity.

The recently formed Asian Poker Tour also stops off in Macau, emphasising its gambling credentials yet further.

Mr Marais states that, despite its popularity, Macau is still only generally visited by local people, as opposed to Las Vegas in the US, which has visitors from a number of continents.

"Macau has been more conditioned as the destination for south-east Asian gamblers - of which there is a huge market - and also for Australian gamblers as well," he said.

According to the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, casinos in Macau took in MOP 83.02 billion (£5.86 billion) in 2007, which constituted a rise of 46 per cent on the previous year.