According to the Macao Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau in December gambling revenue grew to 66.4 per cent, increasing the advantage of the city over rival Las Vegas. In 2009 growth was more discreet than in 2010 and analysts predict that revenue will continue growing in 2011.

Aaron Fischer, who is CLSA’s head of Asian gaming research said: “The absolute level of the market is massive so it’s hard to sustain that level of growth.” Fischer also commented that he expects gambling revenue for casinos in Macao to increase 20% in 2011 and 25% in 2012.

Luxurious hotel casinos already fill the Cotai strip, the Asian counterpart of The Strip in Las Vegas. These venues offer both high-end casino games and comfortable accommodation to casino players who came from all over the world, but especially from China. Two more casinos will open over the next 18 months.

Macao’s casinos are operated by six casino operators including international companies Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts that operate several casinos in Las Vegas. Local companies operating casinos in Macao are Galaxy Entertainment Group and SJM Holdings, Melco Crown Entertainment and MGM Mirage.