Nicest Casino In Macau

Macau is a Chinese peninsula which has increased dramatically in popularity over recent years thanks to its fame as a major gambling resort. Having recently made a glamorous cameo in a James Bond movie, its tourist industry exploded almost overnight, and now Macau has overtaken Las Vegas in leading the world’s gambling revenue.

If you usually gamble online or go to physical casinos in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, you may not know what you should expect from casinos in Macau. There are some major differences between western casino resorts and those in Macau. For a start, you’ll find there are some very different games on offer which aren’t commonly seen in western casinos. You’ll also find that some options that we’re used to in the west are more limited. Bingo terminals, for example, are often seen on gaming floors in the west, but are harder to find in Macau, so if bingo is your thing you might want to read more here about how to find the best bingo sites online on Topratedbingosites.co.uk to keep you satisfied. On the other hand, however, there’ll be some things which are extremely familiar. For example, you’ll see well-known hotel names like the Wynn, the Sands and the Venetian.

Rooms at ultra-luxury hotel 'THE 13' set to open later this year in Macau, will come complete with a Roman Bath capable of hosting 6-8 people at a time. Macau casino properties feature superb architecture and nearly all of them offer fine dining, exciting nightlife, and luxury accommodations. Most of the casinos are located in world famous luxury hotels or are all-inclusive integrated resorts in their own right, the largest of which host three to four massive hotels in one complex.

In this beginner’s guide to enjoying casinos in Macau, you’ll get some ideas and travel tips about how to get the most out of your trip and what you can expect.

Casinos in Macau

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Where to Stay

Accommodation is key to enjoying your gambling trip to Macau. Choose a property that is walking distance from all the big-name casinos so that you won’t have to worry about transport. There are some amazing premium suites at the big gambling resorts like the Venetian and Sands Macau, and while they don’t come cheap, they do offer unparalleled luxury. You’ll also have access to fantastic entertainment and facilities, not to mention the fact that you’ll be steps away from the gaming floor.

Where to Gamble

The biggest question that you’ll need to ask is where you should gamble your hard-earned cash when you arrive in the gambling mecca that is Macau. You’ll have plenty of choices, so it all depends on the experience that you’re hoping to have.

The Wynn Macau was the first casino in the Vegas-style to be opened here. While it may be worth seeing for that reason, it isn’t the most spectacular. There are just 200 gaming tables, and the stakes are pretty high.

If you’re looking for spectacle, the Venetian should be your first stop. As you might expect if you’ve been to the resort of the same name in Vegas, this casino is incredibly luxurious. Its gaming floor is the largest anywhere in the world, with more than 500 gaming tables to choose from and about 2000 slots. Here, you’ll find classic Chinese games like Sic Bo, although you’ll find the minimum stakes are high. If you’re visiting on a work day, the Venetian is one of the best places to go since there’s always lots of action going on 7 days a week.

If you’re more into European-style gambling with the focus on the gaming tables rather than the entertainment, Casino Lisboa should be your first port of call. With around 700 slots and 400 gaming tables, you’ll have a good choice of western and eastern options from blackjack to Pai Gow.

Finally, if you’re a keen poker player, you should probably consider going to The City of Dreams. This enormous resort plays host to the Asian Championship Poker tournament each year, and if you’re keen to meet famous poker players, this is where you’ll find them. Even out of tournament season you’ll find lots of semi-professional players here, so you’ll get some decent competition at the poker table.

Guidelines for Gambling in Macau

If you’re new to gambling in Macau, you’ll need to know the rules which have to be followed. Here are some of the guidelines which are in place in the casinos of Macau.

  1. Gambling age – legally, foreigners are permitted to gamble in Macau’s casinos when they are aged 18 or over. However, Macau residents have to be aged over 21. You will only be able to use a Hong Kong ID card or passport as identification.
  2. Legal items – when heading into a casino you’ll usually have to check in your luggage, laptop and camera at the cloakroom.
  3. Dress code – this varies between establishments. Some are stricter than others, but in general, you should avoid wearing sleeveless tops, shorts and flip flops whether you’re male or female. If you’re planning on entering the high roller rooms, you’ll have even stricter dress codes to follow.
  4. Legal tender – although the local currency is the Macau Pataca, in the casinos only the Hong Kong Dollar is accepted as legal tender.
  5. Alcohol – while Vegas has a reputation of being Sin City, everything doesn’t go in Macau. If you’re visibly intoxicated, it’s likely the security staff will evict you from the gaming floor.
  6. Smoking – while most casinos are officially non-smoking, many customers ignore this and light up anyway. They are very rarely stopped from doing so.
  7. Shuttle buses – if you need to use a shuttle bus to get to different hotels and resorts, you’ll have to have proof. A casino receipt or evidence of your casino hotel room will be required if you want to hop on one of these buses.

While Americans are quick to dismiss Macau as an Asian knockoff of Las Vegas, that's hardly the whole story. The Chinese territory's gambling industry is now seven times bigger than Vegas in terms of the revenue it generates from gaming. Macau's 33 casinos have no trouble attracting millions of Chinese gamblers through their doors every year, largely because gambling is illegal in mainland China. Yet the region is gaining popularity with Aussies, Kiwis, Europeans, and Asians, especially since American and Australian gaming companies have now opened magnificent casinos on Taipan Island and the Macau Peninsula.

Nicest Casino In Macau Casinos

Macau isn't just home to four of the world's five biggest casinos, but betting is officially the city's lifeblood. Unlike Las Vegas, which now treats gambling as just one of many ways to let loose, Macau revolves around wagering. While the Portuguese-influenced Chinese culture of the area has its charm, and many of the newest casinos give some of the world wonders a run for their money, non-gamblers tend to get bored quickly. Some visitors do find the museums, shows, beaches, restaurants and amusement park enjoyable, but they can feel like an afterthought as gaming takes centre stage. Fortunately, this is starting to change as Cirque de Soleil now stages a feature show in the city and international superstars like Beyoncé have performed here.

There's no denying that gambling is the focus in Macau. As it stands now, you'll only find Las Vegas quality entertainment at The Venetian and City of Dreams casinos. Yet that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're more interested in betting or people watching. The gambling culture itself is uniquely Asian, with players firmly believing in luck and often treating betting as an investment, even if it's a mathematically losing proposition. It's not rare to find people playing for two days straight, with little or no sleep. The good news is even casual bettors can have fun while playing sensibly. Just prepare yourself for much higher stakes than you'll find at home, unless you stick to the pokies.

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Macau Advantages

Whether you love gambling yourself or watching high rollers risk it all, Macau will not disappoint. As the world's number one gambling hotspot, there's no shortage of excitement in this town at least in the casinos. You'll find action around the clock that makes the Crown Melbourne and Star Sydney seem like a library. It's easy to enjoy poker, mah jong, roulette, blackjack, sic bo, baccarat, boule, poker machines, fan tan, keno, and many more games.

With 33 casinos at your disposal, it's not hard to find a fantastic place to play. Just think about how long it would take you to visit Australia's measly 13 casinos. In Macau you'll not only be able to count on an impressive selection of games for any budget, but you can choose from establishments that cater to Asian or American tastes. You won't even have to cover an entire continent in the process.

While the number of casinos in Macau is remarkable by itself, the city is home to some of the world's most impressive casino resorts. As Las Vegas continues to struggle after the great recession, developers have set their sights on Asia. Luckily Australians like you can stand to profit.

Macau Disadvantages

Even though Macau is geographically closer to Australia than Las Vegas is, it's still quite a trek. While you can certainly find affordable return flights, prepare for lengthy stopovers. It's definitely too far for a weekend getaway. Most people are better off visiting the territory as a stop on a larger Asian trip.

While many casino staff speak English, most of the patrons don't. Half of the fun of Australian and American casinos is carousing with residents and visitors from all over the world. You just won't find that vibe here.

As a global gambling epicentre, Macau has its share of crime. Money laundering is still a big problem in the city. While this won't affect Australians directly and the city is relatively safe, you should be on alert for other scams like credit card fraud and petty theft.

Best Macau Casinos

Nicest Casino In Macau City

Venetian Casino Resort

Inspired equally by its Las Vegas namesake and Venice itself, this lavish property easily puts its American cousin to shame. The Venetian Macau is now the world's largest casino with 51,000 square metres of gaming space and 3,000 palatial rooms, but it's most famous for its canals and gondoliers. The theatre plays host to American favourites like Shrek the Musical, Stomp, and Blue Man Group.

City Of Dreams Macau

Set on the Cotai Strip, City of Dreams is an American-style casino resort featuring 39,000 square metres of gaming and 1,400 hotel rooms. Guest can choose from luxury rooms at the onsite Grand Hyatt, Hard Rock, and Crown Towers Hotels on site. The property lives up to its name with fantastic installations and attractions including the Dancing Water Theatre, Bubble Fountain, and Vquarium. The Boulevard offers great shopping, even if you stay elsewhere.

Altira Macau

Despite being the city's tallest building, Altira Macau has only 216 hotel rooms. Yet members of the public are even more surprised that they can only access 99 pokies and 20 table games. The casino has an additional seven floors of gaming, but these are reserved for junket players or VIP high rollers. Still, the property offers the best views and most elegant rooms in the city, if you can manage to get a reservation.

Sands Macao

If this casino has a markedly American feel, that's entirely intentional. The property is owned by Las Vegas Sands and puts gaming first. You won't find the frills or flamboyant decor that are the hallmarks of the region's other establishment at Sands Macao. What you can count on is 1,200 pokies and over 700 tables. There's also a comfortable 289 room hotel, which offers modern yet affordable lodging, three signature restaurants, a pool, spa, salon, lounge, and theatre.

Wynn Macau

Best known for its appearance in Skyfall, the Wynn Macau deserves credit for bringing Western style gambling to the city. The American-style casino resort boasts 1014 hotel rooms, 375 pokies, 500 table games, five restaurants, a massive retail complex, a spa, salon, heated pool, four fine dining options, and great bars. Like its Las Vegas counterpart, Wynn Macau has a notable life imitating art theme. You won't want to miss the performance lake, dragon of fortune, moon jelly aquarium, and tree of prosperity, as well as signature pieces throughout the property.

Galaxy Casino

If you're looking for a truly Asian gambling experience, the Galaxy is out of this world in that regard. The gaming floor is glamourous with roughly 600 tables and 1,500 slot machines. The casino is known for awarding the biggest jackpots in Macau. The property features a total 2,200 rooms if you count the second tower, which is home to a Banyan Tree Hotel and Hotel Okura. Don't forget to check out the rooftop beach and wave pool.

Starworld Macau

This centrally located Asian style casino hotel offers a massive 13,000 square metre gaming floor and spectacular well-appointed rooms that are surprisingly affordable. Visitors will find 500 games including poker machines, roulette, Caribbean stud poker. baccarat, and sic bo. Guest can count on outstanding dining at the hotel's five restaurants and ample entertainment at 16F Whisky Bar. Don't forget to take advantage of the free shuttle. It's a great way to visit other casinos and explore the area.

Casino Lisboa

Steeped in a half century of history, Casino Lisboa was given a facelift in 2007. The European style casino would feel more at home in Portugal compared to today's flashier options. Given the limited real estate compared to its competitors, the casino stuffs nearly a hundred gaming tables onto the gaming floor. The best thing about the casino is that you can enjoy table games at significantly lower limits than anywhere else on our list. It's particularly great if you aren't a compulsive gambler.

Biggest Casino Owner In Macau

MGM Grand Macau

Famous for its stylish architecture and iconic Grande Praca central plaza, the MGM Grand is a favourite among Australian visitors. Overall the MGM Grand is classy without being over the top like many of its ostentatious competitors. Gamblers can enjoy 1035 pokies and 345 gaming tables. The casino resort features 600 deluxe hotel rooms, gourmet dining that spans the continents, a spa, fitness facilities, an awe-inspiring pool, and amazing shopping.

Nicest Casino In Macau Casino

Rio Hotel And Casino

Despite its name, the Rio is more European than Brazilian in its aesthetic and vibe. This casino is popular with the locals and for its low stakes. It's definitely grittier than the other gambling options on our list, but that's definitely part of the appeal. Even though the surroundings are intimate, there's a solid range of pokies plus plenty of tables including baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud, roulette, and sic bo.

Things To Do And See

  • The Macau Tower offer spectacular views and loads of adventure. Try the tower climb, sky jump, or sky walk.
  • Everybody loves pandas and the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion has them for your viewing pleasure.
  • The Ruins of St. Paul's are among the city's most famous landmarks. The world heritage site can get crowded, but it's definitely worth your time if you can appreciate history.
  • Largo do Senado is filled with European monuments and great architecture. There's lots of affordable street food too.

Food Favourites

Nicest Casino In Macau Hotel

  • Copa is easily Macau's best steakhouse and it's conveniently located right inside the Sands.
  • The Venetian's Golden Peacock is the place for scrumptious butter chicken, curries, and other Indian specialties.
  • Urban Kitchen's all day buffet offers a fantastic international menu of fresh selections.
  • Lai Heen serves sensational Cantonese cuisine from the 51st floor of the Ritz Carlton.

Experience Authentic Asian Gambling

Macau is unlike any other place on the planet, yet it's also evolving. Even though it is definitely still geared towards gamblers, you'll probably feel at home if you are content to watch. The energy can be infectious no matter what language you speak. Just prepare yourself for a small dose of culture shock and much higher stakes than you'll find at home.