Casino News

Macao gambling revenues soar

2007-07-17 16:42:17

Macao – the only place in China where casino gambling is legal – saw its annual casino revenues climb to 50 per cent in June, new figures have shown.

According to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, which monitor's Macao's industry, revenues amounted to a record 19.57 billion patacas (£1.2 billion) in the three months to June.

Revenues from VIP baccarat, which is something of a favourite for high-rollers, totalled 13.21 billion patacas – a 58 per cent on the same period last year.

Macau, a former Portuguese colonial enclave, is located about 60 km west of Hong Kong.

Last month, Playboy Enterprises announced that it plans to build a casino resort in Macao, which will be run by Melco PBL, one of the enclave's six licensed gaming companies.

"The Playboy brand is known around the world as representing 'the good life' and we look forward to bringing the brand to life in Macao," said chief executive Christie Heffner.