Much like yesterday's blog, we've decided to delve into the Casino Online mail bag once more and answer one of your key questions. We've had an overwhelming amount of requests from players who want to know where the largest casino in the world is. Well, we can tell you that the answer to that question is, at the time of press, the Venetian in Macau. For those of you who aren't aware of Macau, it's one of two administrative regions in the People's Republic of China.
Macau is the only place in China where citizens and tourists can wager, which has meant it has become a hotbed for gambling, much like Nevada did when it was allowed to open casinos, back in 1931. Gambling and the tourism industry, which is currently thriving in Macau, contributes to 30% of the region's gross domestic product (GDP) and constitutes 70% of the Government's revenue.
The Venetian is the largest casino resort in the area, although in 2000 the Government did grant casino licenses to the likes of MGM Mirage and Wynn Resorts. The Venetian offers over 3,000 hotel suites, nearly 1000 gaming tables, for casino games such as craps and blackjack, as well as 3,000+ slot machines. The casino occupies 550,000 sq ft and it cost Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson, and other investors, an estimated $2.4 billion to plan and build.
However, Macau has already become a gaming destination just as, if not more popular than Las Vegas, and it's expected to grow even more. As one local told USAToday in 2007, "Even if they open 10 more casinos, it's still not enough...These days, you can see all the (Macau) casinos are always full."
