Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850's when the Portuguese government legalized the activity in the colony. Since then Macau has become known worldwide as the "Monte Carlo of the Orient", and gambling has become a significant part of the city's economy. Until Western-style casino games were introduced in the 20th century only Chinese games were played, the most popular being fantan. Now, with all the casinos built in the territory including a few number of new ones (some of them are Las Vegas giant companies) opening up soon, Macau is also known as the Asian Las Vegas. Monte Carlo is a very wealthy section of the city-state of Monaco known for its casino, gambling, beaches, glamour, and sightings of famous people. ... Gamble redirects here. ... Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. ... For other uses, see Game (disambiguation). ... Fan-Tan, or fantan, is a form of gambling long played in China. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ...

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. Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau was found by Stanley Ho, Teddy Yip, Yip Hon and Henry Fok but is now owned only by Stanley Ho and his family. Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA (Chinese: 澳門旅遊娛樂股份有限公司 abbreviated as STDM) is owned by Stanley Ho and his family. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA (Chinese: 澳門旅遊娛樂股份有限公司 abbreviated as STDM) is owned by Stanley Ho and his family. ... Stanley Ho, GBS (born November 25, 1921), also known as Ho Hung-sun, Stanley Ho Hung-sun (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), is an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. ... Teddy Yip, a Dutch national, was a Formula 1 team owner in the 1970s. ... Yip Hon (葉漢, death 7th May 1997) was a gambling tycoon in South China. ... Henry Fok Ying Tung Henry Fok Ying Tung (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Huò Yīngdōng; 1923 - 2006) was a Hong Kong businessman. ... Stanley Ho, GBS (born November 25, 1921), also known as Ho Hung-sun, Stanley Ho Hung-sun (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), is an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. ...

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. Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Gambling in Macau plays an important role in the economy of the city. Many Hong Kong and mainland tourists like gambling there. Few local people in Macau visit casinos though. 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. The economy of Macau is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... Several greyhounds before a race. ...

Economic aspects

The so-called "Monte Carlo of the Orient", Macau's economy relies heavily on gambling. Nowadays, the gambling industry generates over 40% of the GDP of Macau. Since the early 1960s, around 50% of Macau's official revenue has been driven by gambling. The percentage remained steady until the late 1990s. In 1998, 44.5% of total government revenue was produced by the direct tax on gambling. Then there was a 9.1% decrease in 1999, probably due to internet gaming. After the handover of the Macau from Portugal to China, the SAR released gambling licenses to other companies in order to eliminate the monopoly played by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau. In 2002, the government signed concession contracts with two Macau gaming companies, Wynn Resort Ltd. and Galaxy Casino. This opened the gambling market for competition and increased government tax revenue significantly. It also attracted more tourists to Macau. At this moment, according to official statistics, gambling taxes form 70% of Macau's government income ^[1]. Monte Carlo is a very wealthy section of the city-state of Monaco known for its casino, gambling, beaches, glamour, and sightings of famous people. ...

However, the gambling industry is also a source of instability in the Macau economy, as the nature of gambling business is not susceptible to technological advancement or productivity growth. The gambling business is still dependent on the prosperity of other Asian economies, especially that of Hong Kong.

Gambling forms

Gaming policy

Detailed law is enforced in Macau to ensure "qualified operation of gambling" in Macau. The details are listed in Law 16/2001 (regime jurídico da exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar em casino), and other laws regulating the activity of gaming promoters and credit for gaming.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (kown as DICJ) is the main government unit that oversees the operation of different gaming activities.

Under Macau law, it stated that a permit issued by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau is required for the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw or similar activities, and the initial procedure in the application on the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw or similar activities is to submit a notification to the relevant government department 10 days prior to the application.

Casinos

Macau has twenty-seven casino, of which the biggest is the The Venetian Macao. They all operate under a government franchise and under a common set of rules. The Venetian Macao is the 40-story, $1. ...

Many forms of gambling are legal there, such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, boule, Sic bo, Fan-Tan, keno and tiger machines(slot machines). The most popular game by far is baccarat with VIP high-roller baccarat generating more than 70% of total gaming revenue in 2004. Poker was introduced only in August 2007, in an electronic table format at Galaxy Starworld casino. This article is about the gambling game. ... This article is about the card game. ... Roulette is a casino and gambling game named after the French word meaning small wheel. In the game a croupier spins a wheel in one direction, then spins a ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular surface running around the circumference of the wheel. ... The term boule can be used to describe a large block of synthetically produced crystal material. ... A Sic bo table Sic bo (骰寶), also known as tai sai (大細), dai siu (大小), big and small or hi-lo, is an unequal game of chance played with three dice, and of ancient Chinese origin. ... Fan-Tan, or fantan (Simplified Chinese: 番摊; Traditional Chinese: 番攤; pinyin: ) is a form of gambling long played in China and among Chinese immigrants to America and other countries. ... This article describes the lottery game. ... Slot machines in the Trump Taj Mahal A slot machine is a certain type of gambling machine. ... A high roller, also referred to as a whale in the casino industry, is an gambler who wagers large amounts of money. ...

Gambling has been legal in Macau for a long time beginning in 1851 where there was a licensing system for gambling houses until 1863. Beginning in 1934, casinos' ownership and operation was centralized where through private negotiations, some franchises monopolized the operation right of all casinos. The casino industry has been controlled by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) monopoly for 39 years but, this changed in 2001 when casino licenses were offered to other casino operators, including American companies such as Las Vegas Sands (Sheldon Adelson) and Wynn Resorts (Steve Wynn) and then later on May 18, 2004, the Sands Macau casino opened near the Macau Ferry Terminal. 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA (Chinese: 澳門旅遊娛樂股份有限公司 abbreviated as STDM) is owned by Stanley Ho and his family. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Las Vegas Sands Corp. ... Sheldon Gary Adelson (born August 1, 1933)[1] is an American billionaire businessman. ... Wynn Resorts Limited NASDAQ: WYNN was formed on October 25, 2002 by former Mirage Resorts Chairman and CEO Stephen A. Wynn. ... The Las Vegas Strip is home to Steve Wynns largest and best known developments. ... is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sands Macau located in Macau, Peoples Republic of China, on the Cotai Strip. ... Ponte de Amizade and the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier (Traditional Chinese: 港澳碼頭; Simplified Chinese: 港澳码头; Portuguese Terminal Marítimo) is located in Porto Exterior, Macao Peninsula, Macau, near the Reservatório (reservoir) on Avenidea de Amizade. ...

Casino Lisboa Casino Lisboa (葡京娛樂場) is one of the most famous casinos in Macau, Peoples Republic of China. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... The Sands Macau located in Macau, Peoples Republic of China, on the Cotai Strip. ... The MGM Grand Macau is a 28-story, 600-room casino resort in Macau which is scheduled for completion in 2007. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Wynn Macau is owned by Wynn Resorts and is a hotel and casino in Macao, Peoples Republic of China. ... The Venetian Macao is the 40-story, $1. ...

Horse racing

Other than casinos, there is betting at the Macau Jockey Club and the dog-racing Canidrome. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Horse-racing mainly takes place every Tuesday and Saturday or Sunday at the race-course on the Taipa Island of Macau. The race-course has an area of 450,000 square metres and 18,000 seats for gamblers, and is open only for people over 18 years of age.

The Macau Jockey Club was formerly the Macau Trotting Club. In 1991, it was acquired by a consortium led by Dr Stanley Ho. The Macau Jockey Club is one of the largest private employers of Macau with around 1,400 employees and around 1,100 part-timers. Stanley Ho (the Westernized form of his name; Ho Hung-sun as his romanized traditional Chinese name, and sometimes Stanley Ho Hung-sun; 何鴻燊; born November 25, 1921 in Hong Kong) is a famous entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. ...

Ways of betting

• On-course Betting

There are over 210 betting terminals "on-course". All terminals can perform sell and pay functions. Punters may bet in Hong Kong dollars or Macau patacas. Bets are accepted up to the start of each race. Punters may place a bet by oral instructions or by filling a ticket.

• Off-course Betting

There are over 80 betting terminals in the Off-Course Betting Centres. 14 Off-course Betting Centres are located in popular districts of Macau and Taipa.

• Internet betting

The Internet betting service commenced on 20 September 2003. Customers can review the Club's internet betting website at www.macauhorsebet.com. is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Telephone Services

There are over 600 telephone service terminals and a total of over 38,000 telebet accounts. The winning dividend of account holders may at their instructions be automatically transferred to their bank accounts.

• Fast Access Terminals (FAT)

Launched in June 1997, the personal betting terminal, FAT (Fast Access Terminal) offers betting, calculation of bet units, record tracking of bets, account enquiry, withdrawal instructions and other related information on races such as declaration and race-odds. Close to 1,000 customers are currently using FAT.

• Hong Kong Service Centres

Three service centres are now set up in Hong Kong including Shaukeiwan Service Centre, Sheung Wan Service Centre and Mongkok Service Centre.

Greyhound Racing

Greyhound Racing takes place at the Canidrome on Avenida General Castelo Branco (see image above for the location of the canidrome). These races are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends starting from 7:45 p.m. and there are 16 games on every racing evenings. Admission is MOP$10 (usable for betting) for the public stand. Boxes are MOP$80 (Monday to Thursday) and MOP$120 (Friday to Sunday and Public Holidays) with a minimum charge of MOP$30 per person. Bar, snack-bars and restaurant facilities are available. This article is about the breed of dog. ... The Canidrome, (Traditional Chinese: ) in Macau, is the only greyhound racing stadium in Asia. ...

Players can bet inside the greyhound racing centre, or in off-course betting centres located in the Hotel Lisboa, Jai-Alai Palace and Kam Pek Casino.

Gambling and society

The casino industry is viewed by some as harmful to society. A high crime rate was one of the biggest problems that Macau's colonial Portuguese government had to face. Since Macau's return to China's rule in 1999, the public security siuation has markedly improved. With the growth of the casino industry, a business called "bate-ficha" was developed and it is usually run by different triad societies. The bate-ficha business is an element of triad involvement in Macau's gambling industry. Bate-ficha involves selling customers "dead chips" that cannot be exchanged for cash in the casinos, but only by bate-ficha men or women, who are officially known as "gaming promoters" or "middlemen." for a commission. (See external link below for a more detailed explanation of bate-ficha). Triad (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Triad Society) or (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Black Society, a general term for criminal organizations) is a term that describes many branches of Chinese underground society and/or organizations based in Hong Kong and Macau and also operating in Taiwan, mainland...

Triad involvement in Macau casinos makes a serious social impact on the local area. It attracts the attention of Chinese gangsters, whose deadly battles over the fortunes to be made from racketeering and extortion in the territory are a continuing problem. As different triad societies compete for controlled territory in the casinos and on the streets, disputes between societies occur from time to time. These are often settled in violent ways. Even worse, triad societies have grown so powerful in Macau that there was a trend that people tried to seek help from these societies rather than from the police. Although the situation has improved since the 1999 handover to China, the problem is still entrenched in the local area.

See also

• Cotai and Cotai Strip
• Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming
• Macau gaming law
• Macau casinos

Cotai is new reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane that has not yet been assigned to any of the freguesias. ... The Cotai Strip is the name of a multi-billion casino resort project in Macau. ... The Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) at the University of Macau is a not-for-profit gaming research and development organization that was established in August 2003. ... Gaming law is the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or gambling industry. ... // A list of casinos. ...

References

1. ^ Bloomberg, Macau Casinos Top Las Vegas as Adelson, Wynn, Battle Stanley Ho, 1/03/2007