The city of Macau is built on a peninsula just 60 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong and is one of the fastest growing gaming markets in the world. With the likes of Kerry Packer and the Las Vegas Sands Corporation investing heavily in Macau, this rapid growth is set to continue in the years to come.

Gambling in Macau was legalised in 1847 under the rule of the Portuguese and since then, Macau has become known worldwide as the “Monte Carlo of the Orient”.

When Macau was handed back to China in 1999, the Chinese government was intent on preserving Macau’s glamorous gaming heritage. Macau was excluded from practicing China’s socialist economic system and the region was declared the only place in China that would be allowed to have casinos.

Today gaming in Macau attracts millions of tourists each year to its casinos and in 2004 Macau surpassed the Las Vegas Strip to become the world’s largest gaming market with gaming revenue of US$5.4 billion.

Development is now underway for Macau to have its own “Las Vegas Strip” which will attract tourists from all over the world. This development is being undertaken by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation in conjunction with some of the world’s major hotel chains including the Four Seasons, Hilton, Inter-Continental and Marriott hotels.

Macau is taking advantage of its increase in commerce and tourism to establish the enclave as a holiday and gambling haven. In addition to Las Vegas style mega-casinos being developed, all kinds of new and improved facilities are being commissioned such as family-oriented shopping malls, theme parks, towers and bridges.

In short, Macau has become one of the globe’s “hot spots” and as a result of its burgeoning economy, foreign investment will continue to flow into the city, and all of its enterprises, including racing, will become bigger and better.

Getting to Macau from Australia is easy with frequent International flights into Hong Kong available on a regular basis. Accommodation options are plentiful with a wide range of prices and styles to suit all tastes and budgets.

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