It is the only part of Greater China (which includes China, Hong Kong and Macau) where gambling is legal, making it the country’s sole gambling destination.
Macau returned to Chinese rule in 1999 as a special administrative region, which means it has different laws to the mainland. And it is a story of the rise of China because it has been the economic prosperity of its citizens that has allowed them in great numbers to travel, see the world, and gamble. It is a globalisation story because of the role played by foreign multinational casino companies. The story of Macau is one of globalisation and the rise of China. As well as drawing in the punters, it has the glittering architecture to match.
But the former Portuguese colony has long surpassed the City of Lights as the world’s casino capital, with revenue from gambling receipts exceeding the entire state of Nevada back in 2010.
