If you’re looking for a gambling experience a la James Bond, or simply want some action on the tables, then place your bets at Asia’s biggest gambling centre: Macau. The moniker ‘Ou Mun’ (meaning trading gate in Cantonese) was first given to this city when the fishermen from Fujian province and farmers in Guangdong province first settled here. A former Portuguese colony, Macau is now referred to as the ‘Vegas of the East’ for its towering casino complexes bathed in neon lights. Just an hour’s journey from Hong Kong, today Macau offers a variety of different casinos catering to a diverse clientele.
High roller’s guide to casinos in Macau
A must-visit casino on Taipa Island, (the smaller of Macau’s two islands), is the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. There are hundreds of gaming tables here – including Baccarat, Sands Stud Poker, Blackjack, Sic Bo, and Roulett – as well as over 2,000 slot machines and electronic table games specifically designed for the Asian market. Replicating the beauty of Renaissance Venice with ornate frames and an opulent interior, the casino is spread over a whopping 534,000 square feet (50,000 square metres). What’s more, if you’re a Paiza Club member then you can access its exclusive and private gaming amenities.
Half the size of The Venetian’s casino space is Wynn Macau. The classiest 205,000 square feet in town, this stylish luxury resort’s greatest gaming feature is that it offers all types of Baccarat. Slot machines, on the other hand, are also entertaining choices. At Wynn Macau, you may begin to play for as little as HK$0.05 or as much as HK$500 per game, while at Wynn Encore you can play from HK$0.20 to HK$10 per game. Poker fanatics should check out The Poker Room, which offers No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha with different limits to suit all levels of play.
Among the many casinos in Macau, you’ll find the oldest hotel and casino, the Grand Lisboa. The building is hard to miss, with its striking architectural design and an exterior that hosts one of the world’s largest LED domes. You’ll find the casino inside spread over four floors, with hundreds of gaming tables and electronic games in both traditional and contemporary style. If you win, splurge on your loved one with an exquisite French meal at Robuchon au Dome, the hotel’s three Michelin starred restaurant.
In the heart of Cotai is the vibrant City of Dreams, bringing together a collection of world-renowned brands including Crown, Grand Hyatt and Hard Rock. Known for hosting the largest live water-based extravaganza in the world, The House of Dancing Water, this integrated entertainment resort also attracts tourists with its contemporary casino. The 420,000 square foot space has myriad gaming options that include Craps, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker and Three Card Baccarat tables, as well as over a thousand gaming machines. But what makes playing here special is that options are available for every type of player – be it mass market, premium or VIP guests – to play at corresponding areas, each with distinctive décor and service options.
Another casino destination in Cotai is Galaxy Macau, featuring multiple gaming areas. The brightest of all casinos in Macau, the atmosphere is elegant at Galaxy, providing the perfect relaxed environment to play on hundreds of gaming tables or at any of its many slot machines. Everyone from the casual gamer to the most prestigious players will find an exciting place to try their luck.
Written by Apple Mandy
