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Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s when the Portuguese government legalised the activity in the autonomous colony. Since then, Macau has become known worldwide as the 'Gambling capital of the world'^[1][2] or 'Monte Carlo of the East'.

Gambling tourism is Macau's biggest source of revenue, making up about 50% of the economy. Visitors are made up largely of Chinese nationals from mainland China and Hong Kong. With the entry of large foreign casinos from Las Vegas and Australia, Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gambling revenues in 2007.

Until Western-style casino games were introduced in the 20th century, only Chinese games were played, the most popular being Fan-Tan. Generally, gambling in Macau can be divided into one of four categories: casino games, greyhound racing, sports betting, and lotteries. At the present time, Macau does not license online gambling operations.

Macau Gambling Age Limit, best indian casino in northern california, world's biggest gambling loss, philadelphia casino dealer school. Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s when the Portuguese government legalised the activity in the autonomous colony. Since then, Macau has become known worldwide as the 'Gambling capital of the world' or 'Monte Carlo of the East'. Gambling tourism is Macau's biggest source of revenue, making up about 50% of the economy. Start your casino journey with an amazing 200% up to £400, plus 100 spins Macau Casino Age Restriction at Betfair! Play Casino, Live casino, Sportsbook and Poker, all under one roof.

Macau, a special administrative region like Hong Kong, is the only place in China where casinos are legal, and the business has grown at an astounding pace since 2001, when the government ended the four-decade gambling monopoly of the Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho.

Macau is the pre-eminent gambling capital of the world, grossing the highest amount of gambling/gaming revenue and greatly dwarfing all the other gambling centers/cities.^[1][2][3]

History[edit]

Internet: hope@macau.ctm.net; Security '999' is the emergency number for the police in the city. You can dial 112 toll-free for the police's special tourist hotline. Tips for Entering a Casino. T here is a minimum age requirement of 18 for visitors and 21 for locals in all casinos. Cameras are forbidden in gambling casinos. The legal gambling age is 18. Gambling age: 18; Australia allows individuals as young as 18 to gamble and participate in sports betting and casino gambling products. However, online gambling is restricted in the country with some exceptions for sports and horse racing betting. Hong Kong and Macau. Gambling age: 18.

In an attempt to generate revenues for the government, gambling in Macau was legalized by the Portuguese government in 1849.^[4] In the late 19th century, the government introduced a licensing system for the fantan houses (Chinese gambling houses). It is reported that over 200 gambling houses were required to pay gambling rent to the government.^[5] The second casino monopoly concession was granted to the Tai Heng^[6] Company in 1937.^[7] The company was, however, too conservative to fully exploit the economic potential of gambling.

The industry saw a major breakthrough in 1962 when the government granted the monopoly rights to all forms of gambling to Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM), a syndicate jointly formed by Hong Kong and Macau businessmen. The STDM introduced western-style games and modernised the marine transport between Macau and Hong Kong, bringing millions of gamblers from Hong Kong every year.^[5] The license was extended in 1986 for another 15 years but expired at the end of 2001.

Macau was transferred to the People's Republic of China in 1999 and became a special administrative region of China. During this transition, there were no changes to gambling policy in Macau.^[8]

In 2002, the Macau government ended the monopoly system and granted 3 (later 6) casino operating concessions (and subconcessions) to: Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM, an 80% owned subsidiary of STDM), Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Entertainment Group, the partnership of MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho Chiu-king, and the partnership of Melco and PBL. On 18 May 2004, the Sands Macau casino opened near the Macau Ferry Terminal. Today, there are 16 casinos operated by the STDM, and they are still crucial in the casino industry in Macau.

Economic aspects[edit]

The so-called 'Monte Carlo of the Orient', Macau's economy relies heavily on gambling. Nowadays, the gambling industry generates over 40% of the GDP of Macau. Since the early 1960s, around 50% of Macau's official revenue has been driven by gambling. The percentage remained steady until the late 1990s. In 1998, 44.5% of total government revenue was produced by the direct tax on gambling. Then there was a 9.1% decrease in 1999, probably due to internet gaming. After the handover of the Macau from Portugal to China, the SAR released gambling licenses to other companies in order to eliminate the monopoly played by the STDM. In 2002, the government signed concession contracts with two Macau gaming companies, Wynn Resort Ltd. and Galaxy Casino. This opened the gambling market for competition and increased government tax revenue significantly. It also attracted more tourists to Macau. At this moment, according to official statistics, gambling taxes form 70% of Macau's government income.^[9]

However, the gambling industry is also a source of instability in the Macau economy, as the nature of gambling business is not susceptible to technological advancement or productivity growth. The gambling business is still dependent on the prosperity of other Asian economies, especially that of China. Due to Xi Jinping's promise on cracking down of corruption across mainland China, casino profits from across Macau have been reporting a decline in monthly profits^[10] In addition, a proliferation of other gambling venues in the region is drawing the target demographic away. Macau's 2018 grew 13% over the prior year, but this lagged behind the 41% growth in emerging casino markets in Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia, according to Fitch Ratings. In 2019 casino earnings reached their lowest level in three years.^[11]

Gambling forms[edit]

Casinos[edit]

Macau has 41 casinos (as of 2019), of which the biggest is The Venetian Macao. Twenty-four casinos are located on the Macau Peninsula and 17 on Taipa Island or the Cotai Strip. They all operate under a government franchise and under a common set of rules.

The main casino operators in Macau are SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands with respective revenues of 9.7, 4.8, and 4.2 billion in 2011.^[12]

A wide range of games are available, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, boule, Sic bo, Fan Tan, keno and slot machines.

Poker was introduced only in August 2007, in an electronic table format at Galaxy Starworld casino. The first live poker tournament was the Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macau event in November 2007. Shortly thereafter, in January 2008, the government of Macau published the official rules for Texas hold 'em poker games in Macau. In February 2008, Grand Lisboa Casino added the first live-dealer cash game tables. In May 2008, 'PokerStars Macau' opened at Grand Waldo Casino. In November 2008, Texas Holdem' Poker opened at Wynn Macau. 'PokerStars Macau' moved to a new location at the Grand Lisboa Casino in March 2009. Today, Wynn Macau, StarWorld, and the Venetian offer live-dealer cash game poker tables.^[13] Previously, most casinos were non-smoking. This caused serious discontent from both operators and visitors. In 2019, the Chinese Ministry of Health allowed smoking in special rooms in most casinos. In February 2020, in connection with the spread of coronavirus, after a two-week break in the casino, a restriction was introduced.

Horse racing[edit]

Other than casinos, there is betting at the Macau Jockey Club and the dog-racing Canidrome.

Horse-racing mainly takes place every Tuesday and Saturday or Sunday at the race-course on the Taipa Island of Macau. The race-course has an area of 450,000 square metres and 18,000 seats for gamblers, and is open only for people over 18 years of age.

The Macau Jockey Club was formerly the Macau Trotting Club. In 1991, it was acquired by a consortium led by Stanley Ho. The Macau Jockey Club is one of the largest private employers of Macau with around 1,400 employees and around 1,100 part-timers.

Ways of betting

• On-course betting

There are over 210 betting terminals 'on-course'. All terminals can perform sell and pay functions. Punters may bet in Hong Kong dollars or Macau patacas. Bets are accepted up to the start of each race. Punters may place a bet by oral instructions or by filling a ticket.

• Off-course betting

There are over 80 betting terminals in the Off-Course Betting Centres. 14 Off-course Betting Centres are located in popular districts of Macau and Taipa.

• Internet betting

The Internet betting service commenced on 20 September 2003. Customers can review the Club's internet betting website at www.macauhorsebet.com.

• Telephone services

There are over 600 telephone service terminals and a total of over 38,000 telebet accounts. The winning dividend of account holders may at their instructions be automatically transferred to their bank accounts.

• Fast Access Terminals (FAT)

Launched in June 1997, the personal betting terminal, FAT (Fast Access Terminal) offers betting, calculation of bet units, record tracking of bets, account enquiry, withdrawal instructions and other related information on races such as declaration and race-odds. Close to 1,000 customers are currently using FAT.

• Hong Kong Service Centres

Three service centres are now set up in Hong Kong including Shaukeiwan Service Centre, Sheung Wan Service Centre and Mongkok Service Centre.

Greyhound racing[edit]

Greyhound racing takes place at the Canidrome on Avenida General Castelo Branco. These races are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends starting from 7:45 pm and there are 16 games on every racing evenings. Admission is MOP$10 (usable for betting) for the public stand.

Players can bet inside the greyhound racing centre, or in off-course betting centres located in the Hotel Lisboa, Jai-Alai Palace and Kam Pek Casino.

Gambling and society[edit]

The casino industry is viewed by some as harmful to society. A high crime rate was one of the biggest problems that Macau's colonial Portuguese government had to face. Since Macau's return to China's rule in 1999, the public security situation has markedly improved. With the growth of the casino industry, a business called 'bate-ficha' was developed and it is usually run by different triad societies. The bate-ficha business is an element of triad involvement in Macau's gambling industry. Bate-ficha involves selling customers 'dead chips' that cannot be exchanged for cash in the casinos, but only by bate-ficha men or women, who are officially known as 'gaming promoters' or 'middlemen' for a commission.

Triad involvement in Macau casinos makes a serious social impact on the local area. It attracts the attention of Chinese gangsters, whose deadly battles over the fortunes to be made from racketeering and extortion in the territory are a continuing problem. As different triad societies compete for controlled territory in the casinos and on the streets, disputes between societies occur from time to time. These are often settled in violent ways. Even worse, triad societies have grown so powerful in Macau that there was a trend that people tried to seek help from these societies rather than from the police. Although the situation has improved since the 1999 handover to China, the problem is still entrenched in the local area.

Gaming law[edit]

No one under the age of 21 is allowed to gamble.

Detailed law is enforced in Macau to ensure 'qualified operation of gambling' in Macau. The details are listed in Law 16/2001 (regime jurídico da exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar em casino), and other laws regulating the activity of gaming promoters and credit for gaming.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (known as DICJ) is the main government unit that oversees the operation of different gaming activities.

Under Macau law, it stated that a permit issued by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau is required for the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw or similar activities, and the initial procedure in the application on the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw, or similar activities is to submit a notification to the relevant government department ten days prior to the application.

In the Macau legal system, gaming law is not considered as a branch of law in the traditional sense. Instead, it may be considered as a transversal gathering of a range of legal topics more or less directly related to gaming, including constitutional law, administrative law, tax law, company law, contract law, and criminal law. In this manner, issues of public law as well as private law are of relevance for gaming.

Tax law issues[edit]

The taxation of casino sub/concessionaires is made of a fixed part and a variable part. The variable part falls on the gross gaming revenue. The tax rate is currently of 35%, plus two contributions of up to 2% and 3% for social and economic purposes. The maximum tax is therefore 40%. In addition, a fixed premium is also payable, plus a premium per VIP table, other table, and slot machine. Gaming promoters pay taxes on commissions received.

Contract law issues[edit]

From the perspective of contract law, gaming and betting are contracts which may or may not generate civil or natural obligations for the parties. The matter is regulated in the Civil Code 1999 (art. 1171), which states, drawing from Roman law, that gaming and betting generate natural obligations except in sports competitions and where the law provides otherwise. The problem is that gaming legislation currently does not provide to this effect.

Regarding credit for gaming, Macau law states since 2004 that the granting of credit for casino games of fortune generates civil obligations, which are fully enforceable in Macau courts. Credit for casino games of fortune is defined as any case where chips are passed on to a player without immediate cash payment of such chips; this is an intentionally broad concept. Credit for gaming is regulated by Law no. 5/2004, of 14 June.

Criminal law issues[edit]

From the perspective of criminal law, there are specific criminal offences related to gaming; see Law 8/96/M, of 22 July, and Law 9/96/M, of 22 July. Other criminal law matters are covered by broader laws: the Penal Code and the law on Organized crime. Game cheating is mentioned in art. 6 of Law 8/96/M, of 22 July. In addition, general laws on the prevention and repression of money laundering and the financing of terrorism through casinos apply.

Problem gambling[edit]

As of November 2011, exclusion of players from gambling establishments is voluntary. If the person realises that their gambling activities begin to cause trouble, they can turn to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau to ban them from entering the casino. The government of Macau is seeking the opinions of the citizens on the possibility of establishing a programme that will allow excluding problem gamblers from all casinos without their consent. The Legislative Assembly is currently^[when?] analyzing the new draft law, which also deals with the problem of exclusion from gambling houses. The law suggests that the person can be excluded from the casino if they submit their own request or approve the request submitted by their relatives.^[15]

Other matters[edit]

Competition law matters, and advertising law, as well as the impact of WTO law on gaming, may also be pointed out as part of gaming law. Regarding online gaming, the Macau SAR does not currently grant concessions for online casinos. The current casino concessions only cover land-based gaming, not online gaming.

Academic research and teaching[edit]

The teaching of Macau gaming law started in 2005 the Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Macau, in the undergraduate program of gaming management.Since 2007 it is also included in the master program of international business law offered by the Faculty of Law of the University of Macau [1], in which various theses have already been defended in topics of gaming law.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abBranigan, Tania (11 May 2011). 'Macau – gaming capital of the world'. The Guardian.
2. ^ ^ab'Macau: The world's gambling capital'. BBC News.
3. ^Riley, Charles (6 January 2014). 'Macau's gambling industry is now 7 times bigger than Vegas'. CNNMoney.
4. ^Godinho, Jorge (2012) 'A history of games of chance in Macau, Part 1 : Introduction', in Gaming Law Review and Economics, Vol. 16, no. 10, p. 552-556, and (2013) 'Part 2 : The foundation of the Macau gaming industry », Gaming Law Review and Economics, Vol. 17, no. 2, p. 107-116.
5. ^ ^abChan, S. S. (2000). The Macau Economy. Macau: Publications Centre, University of Macau. ISBN99937-26-03-6.
6. ^'Macau Gaming Summary'. UNLV Center for Gaming Research. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
7. ^Macau Yearbook 2007. Government Information Bureau of the Macau SAR. 2007. ISBN978-99937-56-09-5.
8. ^'All you need to know, Macau Hotel'. Gambling Info. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
9. ^Bloomberg, Macau Casinos Top Las Vegas as Adelson, Wynn, Battle Stanley Ho, 1 March 2007
10. ^'Macau Gambling decline'. Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
11. ^Ese Erheriene (7 May 2019). 'Casino Boom in Asia Pressures Vegas Operators: Regions new venues aim to draw gamblers beyond Macau, U.S. giants' longtime hub'. The Wall Street Journal. p. B5.
12. ^'Main casino operators in Macau'. Travel & Gamble Online Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017.
13. ^'Best Poker Rooms in Macau – Macau Poker Updated Jan 2014'.
14. ^video on www.oceanus.asiaArchived 1 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
15. ^Macau Daily Times: Gov't considers ban on problem gamblers

Further reading[edit]

• Jorge Godinho, 'Casino Gaming in Macau: Evolution, Regulation and Challenges', in UNLV Gaming Law Journal, vol. 5(1), 2014, pp. 1 ff. [2]
• Jorge Godinho, 'A History of Games of Chance in Macau: Part 1 – Introduction', in Gaming Law Review and Economics, vol. 16(10), October 2012, pp. 552 ff. [3]
• Jorge Godinho, Macau Business Law and Legal System, LexisNexis, Hong Kong, 2007 (ISBN9789628937271) [4]
• Governo de Macau, O Jogo em Macau, 1985.
• Angela Leong, 'The 'bate-ficha' business and triads in Macau casinos', QUEENSLAND U. OF TECH. L. & JUST., 84 (2002)
• Metaxas Theodore and Folinas Sotiris (2016) 'Gambling Tourism and Economic Development: Some lessons from Macao,' MPRA Paper 72397, University Library of Munich, Germany.

External links[edit]

• Media related to Gambling in Macau at Wikimedia Commons

INTRODUCTION

Without a doubt, Macau's most successful hotel/casino is the massive Las Vegas Sands flagship Venetian Macao resort. According to Wikipedia, it's the largest single structure hotel building in Asia, the sixth-largest building in the world by area and the largest casino in the world. Basically identical to the original one in Vegas, the Venetian was the first hotel in Macau to really focus on the entertainment side of the resort experience, featuring a Cirque de Soleil performance six nights a week and a packed slate of concerts at the Cotai Arena. The Grand Canal Shoppes is another can't miss attraction, full of gondolas and gondoliers, rich storefronts and roaming performers, it's like going from Macau to Venice in 30 seconds or less. Already a Macau landmark, The Venetian Macao (they spell Macau with an 'o') will turn five on August 28, 2012.

Image gallery

LOCATION

In the middle of all the action on the Cotai Strip, right between the Galaxy and the City of Dreams. A new Las Vegas Sands property, the Sands Cotai, is going up right across the road as well.

CASINO

When dealing with the largest casino in Macau, it's probably a lot easier to write the games they don't have as opposed to the ones they do. I think the only ones missing are Pai Gow, Yee Hah HiM, and EZ Baccarat. That's it. Every other table game, electronic table game, or Live Gaming machine known to Macau is available at the Venetian, along with over 2,000 slots. Minimums on the 300 tables roll between $200 or $300 all the way up to $2,000 in the high limit Ruby Room, while slots start at 0.02 and end at $100. As for the various game machines and Live Baccarat (which also includes Live Roulette and Live Sic Bo), their lows don't exceed $50.

All of the games are located in one huge square room behind the lobby, no doubt Macau's largest casino floor. Bar Florian is located right in the middle of all the action under the Great Hall and escalators that take you up to the Grand Canal Shoppes. Much like the lobby, the casino is very elegantly decorated, full of paintings, pillars, art and chandeliers. While the design is certainly top notch, its effect gets kind of dampened by the sheer size of the room and all the tables, lights, signs and slots. With so much to look at, I'm not sure how many people really notice the fish on the pillars or the five different kinds of chandeliers. Still though, you have to be appreciate Las Vegas Sands effort.

Drink service at the Venetian could probably use an upgrade and more staff. Getting a waitress is sometimes difficult, and there isn't much drink selection. Non smokers are taken care of though, with a large non smoking section by the entrance to Hotel Suites South. Lots of restaurants are accessible via the casino floor, in addition to one lounge that just welcomed Playboy Bunnies into the fold. These lovely ladies pretty much become the casino's main entertainment by default, since there is no performance stage per se, although ballroom dancing shows do sometimes happen outside Bar Florian.

GAMES

The Venetian is not only Macau's largest casino in terms of tables, but also in table games. Dragon Phoenix is Macau's newest game, opening in the summer of 2011, and can only be found at the Venetian.

Banking Three Card Baccarat — Although some tables have Three Card Poker written on them, it's not really Three Card Poker, it's Banking Three Card Baccarat. You'll know which tables they are fairly quickly because won't have Ante or Pairplus pay tables written on them as all Three Card Poker tables do in Macau. The same error is repeated at the Sands and in the Venetian's free guide book introducing the rules of different games.

To bank players need at least $5000, while minimum bets are $200.

Sands Stud Poker — Normal Caribbean Stud Poker with an important side bet variation. Instead of the side bet only being $25, players can bet $25, $50, $75, $100 or $125 each time. Flush, full house and four of a kind cash bonuses are then paid out in proportion to the side bet wager. Here's the Sands Stud side bet pay table.

Here is the full pay table.

• Flush: 40 for 1
• Full house: 60 for 1
• Four of a kind: 200 for 1
• Straight flush: 10% of jackpot
• Royal flush: 100% of jackpot

The Wizard says that because the player is not rewarded for betting more on a straight flush or royal flush, he should not be more than $25 on the side bet. He adds that at a $25 bet the jackpot turns positive at a meter of $6,727,631.58.

In an interesting twist, players can bet the side bet on the Dealer's hand as well, with all of the same rules still applying.

Finally, once every 15 hands or so, a lucky player on the floor will be selected and win 5 free side bet credits ($125), assuming he's been betting the side bet. And every 80 hands or so, a lucky dealer will be selected, and all the players who have been doing the side bet at that table will receive 5 credits.

I hope you're betting the Progressive when you do get your Royal Flush otherwise it's only a 50-1 win at the Venetian. (And a nothing win if the Dealer doesn't qualify. Wouldn't that just frost your cookies? You could have won 10 million yet it's only $300? Window. Open. Ledge. Jump. Repeat if necessary.) However, the Wizard disagrees with me, adding that unless the meter gets over 6.7 million, which it seldom will, it is a sucker bet and recommends you avoid it.

Craps — 3-4-5 odds.

Money Wheel — Game also available in popular machine format.

Slot Machines — Probably well over 2,000 slot machines. Minimums are from 2 cents to $100. As usual in Macau, most machines are under $1.

Texas Hold Em — 10 poker tables, blinds $10/$25, $25/$50 etc up to $200/$400. If all the players at the table agree to bet more, the $200/$400 limit can be exceeded.

Video Poker — I noticed Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker and Deuces Wild.

Other games: Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, Three Card Baccarat, Blackjack, Fan tan, roulette, sic bo, Three Card Poker, Dragon Phoenix.

MY OWN GAMBLING

Last summer I played quite a bit of baccarat at the Venetian and most of the time did pretty well. I can confidently say I probably won more than I lost the 8 or 9 times I went. As for Craps and Blackjack, however, that's a whole other story.

Drawing on all my experience then, I can say that away from the craps table not many dealers speak English, which surprised me a little. The Venetian draws a pretty large international crowd, but English service is not a priority. As for their personalities, some of the dealers are big time brick walls, while others are quite engaging. I remember this one 40 year guy who seemed legitimately upset he was pulling over so many Player 8 and 9's and taking my money every hand. At one point he just shook his head and motioned with his hand as if to tell me, leave the table man, leave the table, which I thought was nice. So generally speaking, you can't make any generalizations. Some dealers are into it, while others are bored out of their mind.

Baccarat is clearly the big show in Macau, obviously the big Asian game, and I don't recall ever playing with another foreigner at the table. It was just me and the Chinese, which could get interesting at times. Now even though I understand quite a bit of Chinese and can say a lot too, I never let on that I do when I play. I prefer to lay low and listen to what's said, especially if it concerns me. Invariably my style of play would get them talking, since I don't think they've ever seen anyone bet the Banker everytime as I do. Yes I am proud to say I've never made a Player bet in my life and never will. To me, it's a no brainer. It's like having White in chess or last at bats in baseball. Betting the Banker has the clear advantage. Anyway, because of that I heard a lot of stuff like, 'The foreigner doesn't look at the TV screen', or 'Boy he plays strange', or my all time favorite, this one 50 year old guy who asked everyone around him, asked the players, asked the Dealer, 'Does the foreigner know he can bet the Player too?' I mean he seemed really concerned about it. I thought that was pretty funny.

Sometimes of course my baccarat strategy backfired and I would be on the wrong end of a big run. The first thing I noticed playing Baccarat is that big runs happen a lot more often than in Blackjack. 8 wins in a row, 8 losses, it's nothing to bat an eye at playing baccarat. The biggest run I ever had was 17 straight Banker wins, which was amazing. By the time that run was over I had made a convert or two and for the rest of the day they bet as I did, on the Banker every time!

It's the Player runs that hurt the most though, especially when you're the only one going against everyone else, the only one who's got anything riding on the Banker at all. I remember this one time the Player had won seven hands in a row, and when something like that happens in Macau, word spreads. Before you know it there are 20 people at the table when there were only six before, and all you see are arms and more arms pushing through the mass to lay their bets. From box number 1 all the way to 9, the Player area just gets stacked and packed with rows of chips. And then of course there's me, the dumb foreigner, the only going against the grain, dutifully laying the table minimum on the Banker everytime.

One time on such run the losing got kind of personal. I had lost seven hands in a row, so I was frustrated, tired of losing, and only wanted to win. I wanted nothing more than to flip a 9 and collect my chips, and make the whole table lose, because hey, they deserved it. I had taken offense to some of them chanting 'face, face, face' every time I turned a card. It's one thing if it's the dealer who's flipping the cards, as they have no stake in the outcome, and if you want to chant then, then chant. But when it's another player, I think that's kind of rude. It's like getting into the face of the craps shooter and chanting 7, 7, 7 as they're shooting when you're playing the dark side. You can see how that might get a little bit annoying, especially if you roll a 7. To make matters worse, I began to see my Banker bet as more than just a simple bet. I began to see it as something much larger, something idealogical, like it was my understanding of the game versus theirs. I think I play correctly and they don't, and I wanted to prove it to the whole table. It's stupid I know, but that's how I felt.

So you can imagine my frustration losing an 8th time, a 9th, a 10th, and each time having to hear the big cheer that went up after I tossed another pair of faces back to the Dealer. After each loss I felt smaller and smaller, worse and worse, like I was two feet tall. I think after the 11th hand, it all finally and mercifully ended. There was no loud cheer, the crowd dispersed and things went back to normal. And I have to admit that I felt a huge sense of relief. While being on the wrong end of that run was both an uncomfortable and intimidating experience, most of it was brought on by my own competitiveness, hatred of losing, and need to prove something. It's not like the other people did that much wrong, they were just happy they were winning.

The last thing I'd like mention about my baccarat experience is that it taught me an important truth about the casino. I never really knew how much of an advantage it is for them to offer mindless games. Prior to this year, the only game I ever played was blackjack. And even though I just play basic strategy, after about 3 to 4 hours I start to get tired. I begin to have to think for a second, do I hit this 14 against a 6 or just stand? And when it reaches that point, I figure it's time to go home. But baccarat, on the other hand, man, I can play baccarat all day (and I have.) 12 hours, 14 hours, 16 hours, bring it on. Most casino games fall into baccarat's category too, since they also don't require any thinking at all on the part of the player. And when that happens they don't get tired and they can bet all day and all night to the casino's benefit. Pretty smart people, these casino operators.

PROMOTIONS

Promotions are pretty standard across all three Las Vegas Sands properties, the Sands, Venetian and Plaza. The identical player card is good in all 3 casinos, while member benefits are the same as well. Gamers start off with the free Gold Card, before moving up to Ruby after amassing 888 points and then finish off at the Diamond Card, which requires 8,888 points.

Las Vegas Sands keeps a tight lid on the rate of point accumulation for tables or slots, always saying it's calculated by computer, but I can tell you from personal experience that an hour spent at $100 tables nets about 1 point, and then it increases proportionately. An hour spent at $300 tables nets 3 points, $500 tables five points etc.

Member benefits are a little disappointing with the introductory Gold card basically only good for 10% discounts at Las Vegas Sands restaurants and bars. At the Ruby card level, it doesn't get much better, with members only seeing priority service check in and a bump up to 20% off at Las Vegas Sands F&B. All the best perks like complimentary hotel night, limousine service, free entertainment tickets and access to exclusive dining in VIP lounges are all contingent on the amount of rated play. Only at Diamond club do the perks become significant. Room upgrades, birthday gifts, and lounge access are all freely given to those members in addition to a 25% discount at Las Vegas Sands bars and restaurants.

When redeeming points, the Las Vegas Sands prize book is a top notch assortment of premium electronics, alcohol, jewellery and lifestyle accessories.

Technology

• Panasonic DMC-GF2C Digital Camera — 6,179 points
• IPad 2 with WiFi (32 gb) — 5,988 points
• Nokia X7-00 Mobile Phone — 3,835 points
• Samsung Q10 High Definition Camcorder — 2,879 points

Lifestyle

• Rimowa Topas Suitcase — 7,107 points
• BMW Men's Motorsport Jacket — 1,359 points
• Siglo Retro Brown Lighter — 709 points
• Dunhill Tubed Corona — 499 points

Luxury Products

• Seacraft Watch — 29,500 points
• Mayback Character II Sunglasses — 22,880 points
• Lacquared Gold Lighter — 15,000 points
• Crocodile Wallet — 2,350 points

Food and Beverage

• Louis XIII Cognac — 18,829 points
• Hennessy Paradis — 16,809 points
• Chivas Regal 25 years — 2,459 points
• Johnnie Walker Black Label — 289 points

Points can also be redeemed straight up for non-negotiable chips or match play vouchers with 1 point equalling 1 Hong Kong dollar.

VIP program

The Venetian dead chip program is the same as at the Sands and the Plaza.

Members play in the premium Paiza Club which houses all of the Venetian's VIP clubs. I checked out four of the private junkets, which return the following rates:

• Profit Luck — 1.05% cash back
• Sun City VIP — 1.05% cash back + 0.05% comp allowance
• Royal Fortune — 1.1% cash back
• Bo Yin VIP — 1.2% cash back

Current Promotions

Las Vegas Sands promotions lag a little behind what's found at Galaxy, Melco Crown and MGM properties.

Cash Pyramid Game Show — For two months, a daily draw is held where the winner may choose to quit immediately and pocket $8000, or proceed to play the game. The game has 5 levels in total and if the contestent can pass through all of them, they'll win $168,000. 1 draw ticket is available for every 3 points earned.

Treasure Hunt — Every hour random slot players will be chosen to receive $1000 slot bonuses.

24 Hour Points Promotion — Within 24 hours gamers who have accumulated enough points may redeem the following prizes:

• $50 dining coupon — 8 points
• Gold plated pack of playing cards — 18 points
• $150 dining coupon — 28 points
• $200 promotional chips — 38 points
• $300 HKD reward dollars — 68 points
• $600 HKD promotional chips — 98 points

Venetian Macau Casino Age Limit

Ferry offer — Members who bought a $128 HK-Macau ferry ticket can redeem a free Macau-HK ferry ticket if they accumulate 6 points within a 24 hour period.

For Ruby and Diamond members, they score a free ticket anytime after accumulating 28 points.

Macau Casino Age Restriction

HOTEL

I was expecting a much larger lobby, but don't color me disappointed. I haven't seen anything like the Colonnade since I actually was in Italy. With all the time and detail that must have went into painting the roof and finishing all the sculpture and trim, the Venetian lobby looks like it belongs to another century.

By far Macau's largest hotel, the Venetian offers 3000 suites, at rates much lower than I expected. For $1757 midweek, that's about what you pay for rooms on Macau island at much inferior hotels like Grand Emperor or Starworld.

These low rates get even lower if you book in advance. Reservations made 30 days prior results in 20% off, while 14 days before saves 10%. A number of different packages are listed online all year long too, so be sure to check those out before you book, especially if you're a fan of shopping or spas.

With adult endeavours pretty much limited to gaming and drinking in the two bars, the Venetian is probably Macau's most family friendly resort. Pamphlets around the property always remind parents to watch their kids and there's also a child care service available if they need to get away for a few hours.

Suite prices are listed in HKD, not including 15% for tax and service fees.

There are also two types of Paiza club suites available, both coming with free limo service and exclusive check in at the Paiza club reception. Reservations can only be made via email or telephone so I don't know how much those suites are, or if non Paiza club members are allowed to book them.

POOL

They're hard to get to, these pools. First you have to find the South Suites then take the elevator to the 5th floor. From there follow the signs which take you past the Qube down an impossibly long hallway. Once you reach the end your reward is yet another elevator that brings you down to the first floor.

At least the long trip is worth it. The Venetian has four pools, most of good size, along with a few heated Jacuzzis. One pool is for children only, another for adults while the other two take all comers. Poolside cabanas are available for rent and come with a fruit platter, 42 inch plasma TV, and telephone. What surprised me most is that they're also air conditioned! Not too expensive, the cabanas cost $300 for 4 hours of use or $600 for 8.

The swimming pools are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.

RESTAURANTS

With all the restaurants at the Venetian I think it would take a month to try them all, especially if you include the ones in Festiva food court. For this review, I've only included the main eateries, dividing the list between International and Chinese fare.

International And Western

3 Monkeys — It's hard to find a menu more varied than this.

• Appetizers: $30-$95
• Steak: $280-$350
• Salad: $45-$105
• Asian: $105-$150
• Sandwiches: $85-$105
• Pasta: $120-$180
• Burgers: $105-$195
• Pizza: $105-$150
• Mexican: $95-$300
• Desserts: $60-$80

3 Monkeys is located in St Mark's Square in the Grand Canal Mall and is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily.

Blue Frog Bar & Grill — Combination restaurant/lounge, Blue Frog Bar & Grill is open from 7 am to 2 am daily.

• Pasta: $88-$128
• Main course meat dishes: $148-$198
• Rice/Noodles: $68-$138
• Desserts: $58
• Steak: $268-$348
• Set lunch meals: $88

Macau Casino Age Restriction Limit

Blue Frog is located directly opposite the Cotai Arena beside Cafe Deco. Shop number is 1037.

Cafe Deco Macao — Open 24 hours, Cafe Deco also has a buffet. Current drink special is 2 for 1 between 5:30 and 8:30 pm.

• Breakfast buffet: $193
• Curry: $78-$148
• Asian: $65-$228
• Other international: $62-$258
• Hamburgers: $118-$138
• Beers: $50
• Pizza: $138-$158
• Cocktails: $60

Cafe Deco is shop 1036, and is located across from the Cotai Arena.

Fogo Samba — Brazilian eats at Fogo Samba.

• Appetizers: $48-$68
• Pasta: $92-$98
• Soups/Salad: $42-$89
• BBQ Skewers: $165-$198
• Burgers: $98-$108
• Buffet: $368/$388

Fogo Samba is located in St Mark's Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Hours daily are from 7 am to 11am (breakfast), 12 pm to 4pm (lunch), and 6 pm to 11:30 (dinner).

McSorley's Ale House — Pub type place is half bar and half restaurant. A couple of specials include: $128 for a bacon cheeseburger with coke, $148 for a bacon cheeseburger with a Carlsberg, and $148 for steak and a beer.

• Soup and salad: $78-$98
• Beers: $50-$62
• Pub fare: $98-$135
• Hard stuff: $50-$80
• Hamburgers: $98-$115
• Wine: $55-$60, bottles $280-$620.

They also have quite a few TV's tuned into international sports events. McSorley's Ale House is Shop 1038 and can be found around the corner from the Cotai Arena.

Madeira Portuguese Restaurant — More expensive eats at Madiera.

• Main course: $128-$438
• Rice: $118-$298
• Salad: $88-$188
• Meat dishes: $148-$176
• Soup: $50-$78
• Everything else: $100-$138

Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at St. Mark's Square, Madiera is open from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and closes an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.

Morton's of Chicago — American steakhouse will have you reaching for your American dollars when it's time to pay the bill.

• Appetizers: $145-$210
• Steaks: $558-$1336
• Salads: $110-$120
• Side dishes: $75-$105
• Prime Ocean Platters: $1305/$1335

Also has an extensive drink menu at above average prices.

Morton's is open from 5:30 pm to 11 pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 5 pm to 10 pm on Sundays.

Portofino — Portofino has tables outside overlooking the pool. Prices are much lower than you'd expect for an Italian joint.

• Appetizers: $100-$140
• Pasta: $140-$220
• Salad: $90-$120
• Grill: $200-$300
• Soup: $75/$130
• Pizza: $120-$170

Lunch hours are from 11 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Sunday, while dinner goes from 6 pm to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 6 pm to 12 am Friday and Saturday. Portofino is shop 1040 and can be found next to the ZAIA Theatre.

Asian

Bambu — All day buffet dining at Bambu. They mostly do Chinese and Southeastern Asian cuisine.

• Breakfast Buffet (7am - 10am): $168/$84 (3-12 yr old children)
• Lunch Buffet (11am - 3pm): $198/$94 (3-12 yr old children)
• Dinner Buffet (6pm - 10pm): $258/$119 (3-12 yr old children)

Bambu is shop 1033, located in the hallway between the West lobby and the casino.

Canton — Mostly serves Cantonese food (surprise!), but other mainland styles are also available.

• Appetizers: $48-$138
• Seafood: $128-$220
• Birds Nest, Shark's Fin,
• Abalone: $188-$800
• Meat: $80-$320
• Rice/Noodles: $68-$180
• Vegetables: $70-$120
• Sichuan: $70-$280
• Dumplings: $70-120
• Beijing: $50-$480

Hours are from 11 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 11 pm daily. On Saturday nights they stay open until 12 am. Shop 1018 on the hotel map, it's located close to the casino floor and Morton's Steakhouse.

Edo Japanese Restaurant — Popular Japanese chain has identical prices at every branch resturant.

• Sashami and sushi: $35-$300
• Hot pot: $420
• Salad: $80-$150
• Ramen: $98-$138
• Grilled fare: $90-$160
• Teppanayaki: $190-$430
• Rice with soup: $230-$480
• Teppanayaki set meal: $780/$880

Shop 2311, Edo Japanese Restaurant is located in the 3rd floor Grand Canals shopping mall. Hours are from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm Sundays to Thursdays. On Fridays they close an hour later at 12:30 am.

Imperial House Dim Sum - The nice people at Imperial Dim Sum gave me a menu to take away. Cantonese all the way, they stay open 24 hours Saturday to Monday. From Tuesday to Friday hours are from 10 am to 2 am.

• Dim Sum: $28-$38
• Coffee/Tea: $25
• Main Dishes: $45-$108
• Soft Drinks: $30
• Barbecue: $70/$90
• Juice: $35
• Congee, Noodles, Rice: $45-$62
• Beer: $45
• Desserts: $38/$438
• Chinese Wine: $195-$1680/bottle.

Imperial House Dim Sum is located in the casino.

Lei Garden — Cantonese restaurant with typically priced a la carte selections. The set meals for 10, however, are out of this world, going for $5988, $6988 or $9988.

• Appetizers: $28-$48
• Soup: $118
• Shark's fin: $218-$818
• Sauteed Delicacies: $98-$168
• Bird's Nest: $278-$528
• Barbecue: $88-$138
• Abalone: $298-$2988
• Vegetarian: $78-$98
• Chef's Recommendations: $108-$198
• Dessert: $28

Lei Garden is Shop 2130 in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Hours are from 11:30 am to 3 pm in the afternoon and from 6 pm to 11:00 pm in the evening.

North — Excellent Northeastern Chinese cuisine at the recently opened North restaurant.

• Cold dishes: $38-$68
• Dumplings: $36
• Soup: $38-$58
• Noodles: $62
• Hot Pot: $38-$138
• Pan fried buns/bread: $38-$98

North is accessible via the casino.

Macau Casino Age Restriction Pass

Old Neptune Restaurant — Mainly serves Cantonese noodles and porridge.

• Shark's fin tossed noodle: $498
• Other noodles: $62-$108
• Abalone tossed noodle: $648
• Set meals: $368-$1298
• Braised egg noodle: $368
• Congee: $60-$138

Old Neptune is shop 1032, located in the hallway between the West lobby and the casino.

Red Dragon Noodles — Soup, porridge, and noodles at Red Dragon.

• Noodles in broth: $55/$63
• Congee and rice: $38-$70
• Signature soup noodles: $55/$58
• Desserts: $38

Located on the casino floor, Red Dragon only closes on Mondays between 2 am and 10 am.

HEALTH CLUB/SPA

These facilities aren't as good as I expected them to be, but maybe that's because I expected the best from the Venetian on all fronts. While the gym is nothing to complain about, you won't go crazy over its size or equipment either. I definitely pictured something larger and more modern, but it's still good enough.

Located on the 8th floor, V Gym is open from 6 am to 11 pm daily.

Spa facilites on the other hand are an outright fail. They are without question the Venetian's biggest black mark. Guests get no free access to a sauna, steam room, ice shower or anything. Instead they must pay money at the Malo Clinic and Spa to enjoy any of that action.

The Malo spa's treatment list is extensive with rates in line with other spas at premium 5 star hotels. Wellness Journeys are the most expensive services, running $1500 to $3888, while massage ($488 to $980), facials ($800 to $980), body wraps ($600 to $800) and beauty essentials ($350 to $480) all mostly stay under $1000.

The spa also doubles as a medical clinic offering a wide range of medical checkups for $2000 to $12000. They'll take a look at everything, from blood to kidney function, cardio evaluation to cancer screening.

Malo Clinic and Spa is located on level 5. The clinic is open everyday from 9 am to 7 pm (except Sunday) while the spa keeps hours daily from 10 am to midnight.

ENTERTAINMENT

Maybe Macau doesn't have that much entertainment because it's all at the Venetian?

Compared to the City of Dreams, my mailbox gets inundated 5 to 1 with Venetian promos and advertisements, especially for Cotai arena musical acts.

Zaia — 90 minute Cirque de Soleil stage performance is the Venetian's headline act. It tells the story of a young girl who journeys into space and learns the beauty of humanity. I haven't seen it yet but should probably check it out next time. When I do, I'll give a full report. Tickets range from $388 to $788 for adults and $194 to $394 for children. If you prefer the VIP option, it's a straight $1,288 for all. Zaia usually runs 6 nights a week, off only on Mondays, with start time at 8 pm. They also take week long breaks at times so check the schedule online.

Ice World — Every winter in Harbin they have the famous Ice Exhibition, where crowds of tourists brave -20 degree Celsius weather to hem and haw at the amazing array of colossol ice structures. Venetian used that same idea for their indoor Ice World which features famous Macau sites like the ruins of St Paul and the Guia Lighthouse, along with the Wonders of the World (ie the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal.) 40 artisans used chainsaws, knives and shovels to cut the 9,000 blocks of ice used to make the sculptures. Temperatures inside are a positively frigid -15 degrees Celsius so hooded coats are provided for guests. Tickets cost $100.

The Manchester United Experience — As a North American I'm culturally obligated to marginalize soccer and soccer players. You've heard it before, I'll say it again, the reason why there are so many soccer riots is because fans are so bored out of their skull that they decide go bash a few just for something to do. Chinese certainly like soccer a lot more though, so they probably have more interest than I in entering the dressing room, lifting the Treble trophy, or training with the team.

Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes, hours are from 10 am to 11 pm (Sunday to Thursday) and from 10 am to 12 am (Friday and Saturday).

Grado 18 Holes Mini Golf — The golf course is very disappointing. First off, there's no obstacle course, windmills or any traps at all to befuddle the players. Instead it's all flat green. The course is also very confusing making it difficult to navigate. I guess that's why it's so cheap, only $50 for 1 hour.

Located on the 7th floor the golf course is open from 10 am to 6 pm.

Qube — Designed for children aged 1 to 17, this 9000 square foot playground offers rainbow slides, over under barriers, zig zag net climbers, Chuck E Cheese pool ball areas, as well as PCs and video units. Themed birthday parties are also available.

Qube costs $90 for the first 2 hours, then $50 for every hour after that. On the weekends the first two hours cost $100.

Located on Level 5, Qube hours are from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm daily.

Gondola Rides — 51 serenading gondoliers will take you for a ride through the Grand Canal Shoppes or around the hotel on the outdoor lagoon. Tickets cost $108 per ride for adults and $58 for children.

Cotai Arena — The Cotai Arena is home to a who's who of Asian star power. In the past year, Jenny Love, Rain, George Lam, Alan Tam and GEM all brought their unique talents to the Venetian stage. There was also a US Pro Ball Asian tour last October starring 1990 All NBA greats like Pippen, Penny, Rodman and the Glove Gary Payton. I hope they provided two trainers for each player because I could hear the hammies tearing from here.

BARS

There are two bars at the Venetian whose main business is beverages and not food.

Bar Florian — Situated smack dab in the middle of the casino floor, Bar Florian is home to drinks and dancers. I saw quite an impressive ballroom dancing display put on by six professionals that really turned some heads. At most other casinos in Macau a show like that would be the highlight of their entertainment. At the Venetian though, it hardly registers.

Beers at Bar Florian go for $47, wine $55 to $148, and most hard stuff is $50 to $175. Mocktails come in at $50 while other non-alcoholic beverages are $30 to $40. As for food, the only thing they have to eat is $38 cake.

Bar Florian is open 24 hours.

Bellini Lounge — The Playboy Club at the Sands lasted a year, if that, but the Bunnies have landed softly at Bellini Lounge. Every night from around 10 pm, 7 or 8 of them emerge decked out in their Bunny Dress, to serve drinks, take photos with guests, and drink with them too if that's what they want. About one tenth the size of the defunct Playboy Club, Bellini Lounge seems too small of a venue to waste such premier talent in. With live music at night and a little dance floor, we'll see how long this incarnation lasts.

Prices at Bellini remain as they were before. Beers are $47, glasses of wine $60 to $148 and harder shots $45 to $60. For those with more refined taste martinis run $55 while glasses of cognac are $60 to $1800. Wow, that had better be some top notch cognac for $1800 a glass. I currently drop $1800 for a bottle and think I'm someone. Non alcoholic beverages, finally, are $36 to $40.

Located on the casino floor, Bellini Lounge keeps hours from 4 pm to 4 am Mondays to Fridays and from 2 pm to 4 am on Saturdays and Sundays.

SHOPPING

It's something else altogether being up on the Venetian's third floor in the Grand Canal Shoppes. The pictures tell a better story than me, so enjoy. In addition to all the boats and bold storefronts, the concourse is home to jugglers, mimes, stilt walkers and living statues. I think the Wizard has a job there too whenever he wants, after his mad juggling skills caught the eye of a passing suit in 2009.

With over 300 stores, the Grand Canal Shoppes will have what you're looking for, especially if you're in the market for clothes, jewellery, or beauty accessories. Luggage, medicine and electronic outlets are all readily available as well.

The Grand Canal Shoppes are open from 10 am to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 10 am to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

SUMMARY

An exercise in excess, the Venetian Macao has the most restaurants, entertainment, tables, table games, suites, shops and probably visitors too. It's safe to say that the resort has become a tourist attraction in itself. You got to stop by, if only just to check it out.

Should you have designs on staying longer, that's not a bad idea either. With suites the same prices as rooms in other premium Macau hotels, you really can't go wrong, especially when you consider everything the Venetian has to offer.

QUICK FACTS

• Venetian Macao
• Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca, s/n,
• Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China
• Tel: +853 2882 8888
• Email: inquiries 'at' venetian.com.mo
• Numbers of Suites — 3000
• Number of Tables — 601 (including VIP)
• Number of Slots — 2000

Hotel Reservations — Toll Free Numbers

• China (Applicable for both fixed line and mobile phone): 4001 20 8822
• Hong Kong: 001 80000 800 222
• India: 000800 100 7952
• Japan Landline: 010 80000 800 222
• Japan mobile phone or payphone: 001 010 80000 800 222
• Singapore: 001 80000 800 222
• Tel: +853 2882 8877
• Fax: +853 2882 8823
• Email: room.reservations 'at' venetian.com.mo

Entertainment and Ticketing

• Tel — +853 2882 8818
• Website — www.cotaiticketing.com
• Email — enquiries 'at' cotaiticketing.com

Here are lots more photos of the Venetian sent to me by others.

Link to the official Venetian Macao web site.

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