Casinos in Asia

The biggest casino experience in the world is in Macau, a coastal province in eastern China. Since 2007, the amount of money that people gamble in Macau has surpassed the amount that people gamble in Las Vegas!

This section will focus on Macao, as this is where the most iconic casinos in Asia can be found. Often nicknamed "the Monte Carlo of the Orient," Macao, in fact, has a casino industry that is much larger than that in Monte Carlo. Still, the name lives on.

Casinos in Macau – an overview

As I stated earlier, the gambling capital of the world is, without a doubt, Macau. It has the largest turnover in gambling of any place on earth and some of the most over-the-top casinos imaginable. In attempting to understand how this place got to be this way, though, I would like to go back in a bit of history. Unlike Las Vegas, which has only existed as a modern happening for about 100 years, Macau has been associated with gambling for centuries. Also, unlike the obviously constructed nature of the Sin City in the desert, the beautiful and intriguing nature of the architecture and atmosphere of the casinos in Macau make for an almost unbelievable experience.

Since the 19th century, in Macau, gambling has been a thing, but the real boom has occurred in the past 10 years. In 2002, the monopoly on casino operations was abolished, and foreign players were able to establish themselves. Today, there are 33 casinos in absolute world class, one of which is the world's largest casino. Playing in Macau has quickly become one of the most powerful gaming experiences in the world, and even Western players have begun to discover this Eldorado in the East.

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Featured casinos in Asia

Sands Hotel Macau

This massive casino, with a Middle Eastern theme, is one of the most visited in Macau. The casino, which covers 21,300 square meters, was finished in 2004 and has since then provided visitors with a completely luxurious experience. And besides an Associated hotel, there is, among other things, an amusement park, a series of fine dining establishments, a nightlife scene, and a bunch of other entertainments to explore between the slots and the gaming tables.

The Sands Macau Casino spans an absolutely stunning 21,300 square meters. As one might expect, this means there are all kinds of table games and slots to be played. But when it comes to actually entertaining the massive crowds that stroll through the casino at nearly all hours of the day, it's hard to beat the Sands. You can take in a show or concert; you can also just hang out by one of the many bars or lounges, and there are more than a couple of those—restaurants and lounges included—worth checking out.

Office hours: The casino is open 24 hours a day, all year round.

Game selection

We stated above that it is possible to play virtually any game at Sands Macau Casino, and we reiterate that here. This golden tower encompasses all conceivable and even inconceivable casino games. However, when compared to Western casinos, the emphasis here seems to be placed on different games. For instance, Baccarat is far and away the most played game and it rakes in more than a huge portion of the revenue. Slot machines are also very close to the hearts of the patrons in Macau, and they are by no means in short supply at Sands Macau Casino.

Naturally, you will also bolster your Western cultural literacy with classics like roulette, blackjack, and poker. But we urge you to sample a few more local games (and yes, that includes not just blackjack but also Puerto Rican variations of blackjack). Altogether, the Sands Macau boasts something like 740 table games, making it one of the largest casinos in the world.

Dress code and rules

Historically, casinos in Macau have enforced a fairly stringent dress code, but ever since American casinos entered the scene in the 2000s, it has clearly relaxed. There is still a dress code, but it is not strictly adhered to. The basic rule is: no sandals, no shorts, and no sleeveless tops for either men or women. Simply wearing a decent pair of pants and a regular shirt seems to satisfy the entry requirements most of the time. Be forewarned, however, that other rules may apply in the high roller areas.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter the Sands Macau Casino. You cannot take cameras, laptops or bags inside, and must check them at the entrance. Also, you cannot use the local currency, the Macau Pataca, to play. You must change at least some of your money into Hong Kong Dollars, which you can take into the casino and use to play.

Hotel

In the classic Las Vegas way, Sands Macau appears as an immense edifice with both casino and hotel (and a lot more). If you plan to visit the casino, then obviously it makes the most sense to stay at the hotel. But this is not to say that Sands Macau is the only luxurious way to go. You can just as well enjoy the services and entertainment of the casino without committing to a stay in the adjacent hotel. If you do stay at the Sands, you can count on exceeding the Lux level. Here, rooms are referred to as "suites," and you can pick from 60 sq. m. or 120 sq. m. accommodations. Despite the fact that these rooms absolutely qualify as

Price level̊

There is no charge to visit Sands Macau Casino. We also want to make it clear that you can enjoy complimentary non-alcoholic beverages on the casino floor. Anyone who wants something with a bit more kick can purchase that, too, for a surprisingly affordable price.

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The Venetian Macao

This is the largest casino in the world! The Venetian Macau is the flagship of the Cotai Strip—which of course is a nod to the Las Vegas Strip. The casino is the sixth largest building in the world in terms of floor space, so we're talking huge scale here. Of course, all this surface area is filled with experiences and fantastic gaming opportunities. Here you'll find thousands of slot machines, 800 table games, and a gigantic arena for sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment.

Wynn Macau

This is the casino for people who want a calming and posh experience. Its hundreds of table games and slot machines, several restaurants and bars, a few boutiques, and a spa seem as if they have been designed for a new kind of high roller, one who can lounge and enjoy—but also spend big—in a space that feels like it’s about anything but gambling. And yet, Wynn feels like it has more of an actual gaming atmosphere than maybe any other place on the Las Vegas Strip. And again, this is a full gaming establishment. Slot machines: 1,900 (approx.) Table games: 165 (approx.) Gaming revenue: $825,000,000 (approx.)

General rules

In fact, it is difficult to talk about any overall rules. Visiting a casino in Macau is an experience that clearly differentiates it from those in Europe or the United States. The casinos themselves are not reminiscent of anything else in these parts of the world. They are even larger and more impressive. Yet the experience itself makes one think that something else is going on. For instance, American casinos are very intense and loud, with lots of drinks flowing as visitors go back and forth between the tables and the slot machines. The Macau experience is calmer and more orderly—visitors strolling, sitting on various seats, and enjoying themselves between the gaming tables and food outlets. I would like to say that the difference stems from a clear set of rules that guide behavior in the casino, but it’s really more about culture and etiquette.

Nevertheless, some fundamental guidelines can be established. The dress code isn't particularly rigorous, but it is fairly similar to the type of dress expected at a casino in New Zealand—no flip-flops, and no tank tops, in other words. Some casinos may enforce a stricter dress code. If you wish to gamble, you must be at least 18 years of age and able to present identification. You cannot bring cameras, laptops, or bags with you onto the casino floor. These must all be checked in first. And here's an odd little twist: you're not permitted to use the local currency in the casino—you must change your Hong Kong Dollars into chips before you can play.

Play at casino online whenever you want

A casino trip to Asia is the ultimate excursion for those who have already sampled all that Europe and North America can offer. Macau should be on the must-visit list of any serious gambler. But heading to China's eastern coast is no last-minute jaunt; you have to commit time and resources. So make your journey more likely by first getting used to the idea of gambling on the other side of the planet. At our selected online casinos, you can experience a true casino atmosphere from the comfort of your home and in near-real time. And while you're at it, enjoy the fact that our chosen sites offer not only some of the best bonuses on the web but also much better odds and conditions than you find at land-based casinos. Below are some of the online casinos we favor. If lady luck lights your way, you might cash out winnings that can underwrite an actual trip to a casino in Asia.