Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [266]
MGM GRAND CASINO Map
8802 1888; www.mgmgrandmacau.com; Aven-ida Dr Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, Macau Peninsula
This MGM Grand is much smaller than its mother in Vegas, but its gentility and modern design with innovative lighting make it a casino with taste and class. It’s more for unruffled high-rollers, meaning it has a more relaxing atmosphere.
PLAZA CASINO Map
2881 8888; www.fourseasons.com/macau; Four Seasons Hotel, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Taipa
If you want a quieter gaming time, head to the secluded Plaza. Hidden in the Four Seasons Hotel, the Plaza cannot compete with other casinos listed here in terms of size, but its decor is marvellously impressive, making it one of the classiest casinos in Macau. Its location suggests that tourist groups do not venture here.
SANDS MACAU Map
2888 3377; www.sands.com.mo; 23 Largo de Monte Carlo, Macau Peninsula
Run by the consortium from Vegas leading Macau’s gambling business renaissance, the Sands has a spacious atrium allowing natural lighting, together with a fantastic array of crystal chandeliers. Expect throngs of gamblers from the mainland.
VENETIAN MACAO CASINO Map
2882 8888; www.venetianmacao.com; Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Cotai Strip
As the world’s largest casino and three times the size of its Vegas counterpart, you’re guaranteed to get lost in this be-hemoth. Gambling tables are omnipresent and time is irrelevant in this labyrinth. Like the Sands, this is a must-see destination for mainland tourists and is packed 24/7.
WYNN MACAU CASINO Map
2888 9966; Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau Peninsula
Mimicking its counterpart in Vegas, Wynn is one of the major players on the casino strip in Macau, emphasising themes, elegance, fine dining, upmarket shopping and, of course, gambling. It has a hedonistic atmosphere and is the first casino with a non-smoking gambling hall.
Return to beginning of chapter
Gambling
In 2006, Macau’s gambling revenue reached US$7.2 billion, overtaking Las Vegas as the world’s casino capital. The story begins with the end of a casino monopoly held by Stanley Ho’s Sociedade de Turismo Diversoes de Macau (STDM) in 2002. The gambling industry was shaken up with the subsequent arrival of consortiums from Las Vegas.
Despite the global credit crisis in 2008 that put casino operators under serious threat, the revenue from gambling still rose to more than US$14 billion. The passing of the baton to Macau resulted in a drastic increase of addicted gamblers in Macau and China, and very little has been done to curb this. Other side effects, such as money laundering, domestic violence and prostitution, have also shot up.
Although the games in Macau are somewhat different from those played in Las Vegas and elsewhere (see the boxed text, opposite), the same basic principles apply. No matter what the game, the casino enjoys a built-in mathematical advantage. In the short term, anyone can hit a winning streak and get ahead, but the longer you play, the more certain it is that the odds will catch up with you.
Return to beginning of chapter
CLUBBING
Most of the trendiest bars-cum-clubs with live music are in the newer casino hotels. There are also many choices for clubbing around the NAPE area, including those listed here.
D2 Map
2872 3777; 2nd fl, AIA Tower, 301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau Peninsula; 10pm-7am, happy hour 11pm-2am
This two-storey bar and dance club is where to strut your stuff. Downstairs there’s loud dance music, a dance floor and a bar-lounge area; upstairs there are fashionable booth seats and a terrace overlooking the dance floor. Its sister club DD3 ( Map; 4pm-12am) at the Fisherman’s Wharf is also a throbbing, groovy spot to revel and to flirt.
FASHION CLUB Map
2872 8922, 2889 8999; Block 1, Trinidad, Fisherman’s Wharf, Macau Peninsula; 10pm-6am
This glitzy bar is where partiers dress to impress or be impressed. But pick your night carefully as it can be dead mid-week, but on a good night there’s a great mix of tunes