Macau Gambling Facts
The territory of Macau has long been dubbed "The Monte Carlo of the Orient" as it has an economy that relies on gambling. Today the gambling industry generates over 40% of the Macau's GDP.
Gambling in Macau was legalized in 1847 under Portuguese rule.
The first casino monopoly franchise was granted to the Tai Xing Company in 1937. Only Chinese games were provided by the company at that time.
In 1962, the government granted the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) the monopoly rights to all forms of gambling. This monopoly was extended in 1986 for an additional 15 years.
After Macau's handover to China in 1999, the new Special Administrative Region (SAR) awarded gambling licenses to other companies to eliminate STDM's monopoly.
Macau has nine casinos. The biggest one is the Casino Lisboa. All are open 24-hours a day and there is no entry fee.