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.