While Sin City is celebrated as the gambling capital of the world, it has definitely remained that way since time immemorial for the US, and witnesses a swarm of international tourists; however, Macau has been the glorified entertainment hub for Asians.
Has the time arrived when Macau cannot be restricted to being famed as the Vegas of the East? Has it actually outstripped the glamour you can unearth in the desert of Nevada?
Home Away from Home
Statistics cannot go awry, and it states that 99% of visitors in Las Vegas stay overnight, while in Macau, it is only 50%. The fascinating element is that tourists ideally spend three nights in Vegas in Macau; it is a maximum of two days, with nearly half enjoying a night there.
Macau revels as the gambling mecca with 113 hotels and a total of 37,634 rooms. This is quite stunning, but when juxtaposed to Vegas with a staggering 148,690 hotel rooms, it seems less impressive. Now the statement by MGM Grand of having to clean 15,000 pillowcases a day appears plausible.
With an average hotel room costing you $130 in Vegas. In comparison to Macau, you can discover 3-star hotels priced between $90 to 161. You have the option of spending a minimum of $30 if you are a miser, but if you want to splurge in luxury, you can select from $350 and onwards.
The Casino Floor
Macau has nearly half the number of casinos present in Vegas but is endowed with a gambling revenue that is more than twice. Both these places lure you with their dazzling lights and glamourous casinos.
In Vegas, out of the enormous 42.9 million tourists, a substantial 69% resort to gambling. In contrast, Macau, which lures over 30 million visitors, a thumping 74% wager. The peculiar aspect is the average gambling budget, which is $619 in Las Vegas when juxtaposed to Macau’s $250.
However, the gambling revenue has a spectral influence with $11.1 billion in Vegas and is effortlessly outshined by Macau’s $28 billion.
Let’s Play a Game
Macau’s gambling revenue has a central portion constituted by Baccarat – accounting for nearly 90%. The collocation between the gambling culture in Macau and Las Vegas could not be defined better. This juxtaposition has been outlined in the variations in popular games.
In the US, the showstopper is the slot and machine games integrated with table games. At the same time, for Asian gamblers, table games are preferred over the machines, and therefore space is constituted in such a manner. So, when Vegas is celebrated for its slots, Macau is glorified for Baccarat and Sic Bo.
Another aspect for the lucrative market at Macau is you have the luxury of not being taxed while in Vegas if you are caressed by Lady Luck and win the jackpot who are not going to escape the 25-30% tax – beneficial tax law is a blessing in disguise for Macau.