Asia’s capital of gambling, Macau is a former Portuguese colony that’s home to several of the most popular casinos in the world. Macau is by far the best place in Asia to gamble, with huge, internationally managed casinos offering everything from slot machines to Texas hold ‘em.
In 2007, the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Macau overtook Las Vegas to become the world’s largest gambling destination. Today, Macau’s massive casinos generate more than six times as much annual revenue as their counterparts in Las Vegas.
There are more than 30 casinos in Macau, ranging from gargantuan buildings to smaller, local casinos. Most of the city’s casinos are located on the Macau Peninsula, while several can be found on the Cotai Strip in Taipa. Below, we’ve listed five of Macau’s best places to gamble.
Although Macau has its own currency, the Macao pataca, almost all gambling in Macau casinos is done using the Hong Kong dollar.
Venetian Macao
The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel © denniswong
Location: Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Taipa. The Venetian offers a free shuttle bus from the Macau Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal and Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, as well as Macau International Airport.
- The Venetian Macao is a hotel and casino resort located on the Cotai Strip. The complex covers 980,000 square metres, making it by far the world’s largest casino.
- The Venetian has more than 3,400 slot machines and 800 tables.
- The world’s largest casino and hotel, with the biggest gambling floor in the world.
- Over 800 tables offering everything from blackjack and Texas hold ‘em poker to baccarat, roulette and more.
- High minimum bets, starting from HK$300 for blackjack.
- Frequently hosts international musicians and entertainment acts.
- A huge variety of shops in the Shoppes at Venetian, Shoppes at Four Seasons and Shoppes at Cotai Central.
- With 3,000 suites, the Venetian is one of the most popular five-star hotels in Macau. The suites range from spacious spacious 70 sqm Royale Suites to the opulent 355 sqm Cielo Suite. There are four swimming pools, a fitness centre, more than 20 restaurants, a spa, a mini golf course, a Venice-style canal and large shopping mall within the Venetian.
- As the world’s largest casino, it’s fitting that the Venetian also has the world’s biggest gambling floor. Baccarat, blackjack, roulette and other favourites are easy to find, with a large poker hall and games like sic bo and stud poker also available.
- The Venetian has quite high minimum bets. Blackjack starts from HK$300, sic bo from HK$300 and most other table games from HK$200. There are 10 Texas hold ‘em poker tables with blinds ranging from $10/$25 up to $200/$400.
- Although the high minimum bets (which are common in high-end Macau casinos) mean it’s best suited for high rollers, the Venetian’s sheer size and massive amount of variety make it a great destination for anyone interested in gambling in Macau.
Wynn Macau
The Wynn Macau © kyletaylor
Location: Rua Cidade de Sintra, Macau. The Wynn Macau offers a free shuttle bus from Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal and Macau International Airport.
- The Wynn opened in 2006 and was the first large casino resort in Macau. Although it’s a much smaller property than the Venetian, the Wynn Macau has a classy atmosphere and good variety of table games and slot machines that make it a fun place to gamble.
- Like the Venetian and other large casinos in Macau, the Wynn Macau has quite high minimum bets.
- The Wynn’s poker room is one of the most popular in the city, with no-limit Texas and Omaha hold’em.
- Eight restaurants and three bars, ranging from casual dining to world class cuisine and drinks.
- Two spas, a luxurious beauty salon, a large outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre for guests.
- Unique and entertaining art shows, including the Dragon of Fortune and Performance Lake.
- With a large selection of rooms and suites, the Wynn Macau is a great place to stay, even if you don’t plan on gambling. The hotel’s location on the Macau Peninsula means it’s relatively close to the city’s top cultural attractions and shopping areas.
- Rooms in the Wynn range from comfortable Deluxe Rooms to the 278 sqm Two Bedroom Suite, which comes with a 24-hour butler service. The hotel has two spas, a salon, outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre.
- The Wynn’s casino isn’t huge, but it has a good selection of table games and slot machines for players that can tolerate the relatively high minimum bets. The Wynn’s poker room is one of the best in the city for experienced players and enthusiasts, with several no-limit tables.
- Thanks to its slick and polished interior, its great location and high quality facilities, the Wynn is one of the best high-end casino resorts in Macau and a fantastic choice for people that want to both gamble and explore the city.
Grand Lisboa
Grand_Lisboa © variationblogr
Address: Avenida de Lisboa, Macau. The Grand Lisboa offers a free shuttle bus from Macau Border Gate, the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal.
- Open since December 2008, the Grand Lisboa is one of Macau’s most famous casinos. Thanks to its incredibly tall and distinctive hotel tower — the tallest in Macau — the Grand Lisboa is easy to see from almost anywhere in Macau.
- Macau’s tallest building, with rooms and suites on the upper floors boasting incredible views of the city.
- Blackjack, baccarat, Caribbean stud poker and other popular table games available.
- Minimum bets are quite high but reasonable, with baccarat starting from HK$50 and reaching as high as HK$3 million.
- Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy the temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, the Lisboa Spa, a styling and beauty salon and other facilities. There are seven hotels and bars within the Grand Lisboa.
- The Grand Lisboa has a fantastic location on the Macau Peninsula. The hotel has 430 luxurious rooms and suites available, ranging from comfortable Superior Rooms to large suites with great views of Macau.
- A variety of table games are available at the Grand Lisboa, including classics like blackjack and baccarat to roulette and Caribbean stud poker. The minimum bets on many tables are quite low, with baccarat starting from just HK$50.
Sands Macao
Fishermans Wharf © rainrannu
Location: Largo de Monte Carlo, Macau. Sands Macao, which is owned by the same company as the Venetian Macao, offers a complimentary shuttle bus from Macau Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal and Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, as well as Macau International Airport.
- Open since 2004, Sands Macao is one of the older international casinos in Macau. Sands has a 21,300 square metre gaming space, 289 hotel suites, luxurious facilities and a great location on the Macau Peninsula.
- With 910 slot machines and 270 table games, Sands Macao is a mid-sized casino with a solid selection of games. The hotel itself is a luxurious affair with a spa, outdoor pool and a selection of spacious suites.
- Las Vegas Sands also operates another Sands casino in Macau, Sands Cotai Central, which is home to the Conrad Macao, Sheraton Macao and Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central. The second casino has 9,800 square metres of gaming space, making it smaller than Sands Macao.
- 210 slot machines and 270 table games, including favourites such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack.
- Luxurious five-star hotel with outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre and other high quality facilities.
- Nine restaurants, ranging from cafés and family restaurants to gourmet dining.
- Located on the Macao Peninsula, reasonably close to historical and cultural attractions.
- Las Vegas Sands also operates a second Macau property on the Cotai Strip.
City of Dreams
City of Dreams Macau © iamlonho
Location: Estrada do Istmo, Cotai. City of Dreams offers a complimentary shuttle bus from Macau International Airport, Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal.
- City of Dreams is a luxurious casino resort on the Cotai Strip, located opposite the Venetian. An integrated resort, City of Dreams has 39,000 square metres of gaming space and three different luxury hotels: the Grand Hyatt Macau, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Crown Towers Hotel.
- Three five-star hotels — the Hard Rock Hotel, Grand Hyatt Macau and Crown Towers Macau — all with spectacular facilities.
- Famous for The House of Dancing Water, an incredible water stage production that’s performed at the complex’s Dancing Water Theatre.
- Located opposite the Venetian Macau on the Cotai Strip.
- 39,000 square metres of gaming space with 1,500 machines and 450 gaming tables.
- Poker Stars Live, an international poker tournament, is held in the City of Dreams.
- Inside the City of Dreams casino, you’ll find more than 1,500 machines and 450 gaming tables offering a large variety of games.
- City of Dreams is a large complex with more than 20 restaurants and bars spread between its three hotels. The complex also contains The Shops at The Boulevard, a luxury shopping mall with a selection of well know brand name stores.
