Macau

Macau  Located across a huge river delta from Hong Kong to the east is Macau. Macau is a special administrative area of China. It is part of the most densely populated area in the world. So it should do well from having a few casinos. It is important to note that it was a part of the Portuguese empire previously. Now it belongs again to the Chinese but it has different systems of governance due to the historic legacy.

 

It has possibly the biggest agglomeration of casinos in the world bigger than Las Vegas Casinos in the USA. It has massive gambling tourism. According to online sources in 2018 the industry brought in $37 billion. Most revenue comes from visitors from mainland China.

Macau is also linked to Hong Kong International Airport via a record breaking tunnel and bridge system, the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge. It is a feat of engineering and maybe your way into visiting Macau casinos.

 

The currency of Macau is the Pataca pegged to the Hong Kong Dollar and both currencies are widely accepted.

 

MGM Casino Macau

 

An atrium aquarium centerpiece and dining options draws visitors to this new casino and of course the games draw the gamblers. A free shuttle out to the hotel casino from Macau is available to also draw people. A relatively new casino opening in 2018 in Cotai. Blackjack has a decent 300 HKD minimum. Craps is available. The hotel has 1500 rooms. The casino games include Sic Bo, Baccarat, Roulette and more however Poker is not. 950 slots keep the faithful happy. A lack of ambiance has been mentioned more than once.

The Venetian Macau

 

No report would be valid without mentioning the biggest casino in the world. Including a small copy of venice experience with canals and gondoliers. The casino itself has a minimum age limit of 25. This casino has a whopping 800 tables across 4 themed areas, over 6,000 slots.The building is very impressive viewed from the outside. You can appreciate the 39-floor, five-star hotel tower of 3000 suites!

Other Casinos To Note

 

  • The Sands Macao- of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. 740 tables 1254 slots. 
  • Wynn- 600 rooms/suites 6 restaurants 360 slots and 250 tables.
  • Rio casino- a smaller more intimate feel with fewer tables and slots.
  • Casino Lisboa- A centrally located old world luxury casino dating back to 1970.

Australia

Australia  Notable Dates Concerning Gambling In Australia

Horse racing is the first form of gambling in Australia. It started in the 19th century.
1956 NSW legalises gambling in licensed clubs.
Various private lotteries and sweepstakes operated starting in 1880
Casinos were banned until 1973 however slots or pokies were available from 1956.

The Short History of Australian Casinos

 

The first legal casino still in operation today is the Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Tasmania. The state thought it could be a way to increase the visitor numbers to a pretty but unvisited part of the world. The ‘The Federal Group’ probably used this marketing trick to tempt the state officials into agreement. But a referendum to decide was the route taken. However the result was not in fact awaited and the legislation was passed anyway and some say under dubious circumstances. But the upshot was a precedent and a casino license in Australia and a hotel tower construction that identifies the town of Hobart with its uniqueness. As soon as this casino was awarded the go ahead many others rushed to go and get licenses. The casino industry in Australia was born.

 

The Crown Casino Melbourne

A high class ‘resort’ hotel and casino experience awaits- 5 star accommodations in this luxury resort. The biggest Poker game in the Asia Pacific the Aussie Millions and also the World Series Asia Pacific.
Private poker games to electric Three Card on a terminal. All of the classic table games and slots too. Unusual games such as Pai Gow and Sic Bo let you know you are close to China. Membership benefits include earning points as you play look out for Crown Rewards.

The Star

Location: Darling harbour Sydney. Club membership comes with benefits such as the Star coach transporting you for free around Sydney or the 35 minute draw you get entered into while playing using your membership card! This casino hosts regular Poker tournaments. Table games otherwise include Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette. Dice games like Sic Bo and Crapps.

 

Wrest Point Hotel Casino

 

Located in Sandy Bay in Hobart Tasmania is the iconic hotel tower. Table games such as Blackjack, Big Wheel, Federal Pontoon (no 10 cards), Baccarat, Roulette, Texas Holdem. Electronic machines like poker and slots. Linked jackpots as a bonus. Comedy, live music and cabaret are a selection of the entertainments on offer at ‘The Wrest’. Of course it’s also a hotel and there are many bars and restaurants. The pick of a restaurant seat could be views over the Derwent River. A revolving restaurant at the top of the tower puts you in the jewel of Hobart.

South Africa

South Africa  Gambling has been banned since 1673 in South Africa. Officially modernised laws confirming this in 1965 with the South Africa’s Gambling Act continued the ban except horse racing. With the nation having a democratic change of power in 1994 laws could be changed. The gambling ban was lifted and a national lottery was created. Before this time there were ‘underground’ casinos working illegally. Now these would have to license and generate revenue for the state. In 1996 the National Gambling Act brought a system in place to license the casinos.

 

Rio Casino Resort

Formerly named Tusk Rio Casino Resort it is one of the biggest resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. Peermont Global owns the Rio and changed the name in 2006. Located in the city Klerksdorp in the north west. It has 274 slot machines and has 11 tables. 2 Poker games. You can play all your favourite casino games such as Roulette, Blackjack and Punto Banco/Baccarat. A private salon is available for the biggest gamblers in town. This resort has a restaurant too so you won’t have to go far from the action.
Attached to the casino resort is a hotel called the Peermont Metcourt hotel. Family friendly activities such as swimming in the pool or taking a race on the Interlagos Go-Kart track. All of the resort has been themed with Rio de Janeiro in mind.

 

Montecasino

 

Labelled as an entertainment venue in Johannesburg the Monte is a replica of a Tuscan village. It truly offers a buzz. Brimming with multiple places to dine and of course our casino. The casino is ok but lacks real casino buzz. Staff have been criticised. The real draw is the entertainment from various quarters. It ranks high as a place to visit in the city. 

 

Emperors Palace

This huge resort complex is next to the airport in Johannesburg. With 4 hotels and a lot of restaurants. This casino has all of the delights with slots and table games. Poker tournaments are regularly held, including the world poker tour.

 

Gold Reef City

 

Yet another resort type complex in Johannesburg Gold Reef City with casino, theatre restaurants and theme park. Over the complex there are various areas to game in. 1500 Slots Blackjack Poker Roulette and Baccarat are found on 34 tables split between smoking and non smoking areas. A salon prive allows higher limit games for the bigger gamblers.

New Zealand

New Zealand  There are 6 casinos in New Zealand. Gambling in the twin island nation has always been permitted in some capacity with certain bans for example bookmakers were banned from 1920 to 1961. Gambling revenue is roughly stable per year at 2.25 billion casinos bring in around 500 Million of this revenue per year since 2015 source – https://www.dia.govt.nz/gambling-statistics-expenditure
There is a strong theme of reinvesting the losses of players (gambling profit) back into the country. All gambling is state controlled. Online casinos are not permitted as per the Gambling Act 2003.

The 6 Casinos of New Zealand

Grand Casino Dunedin

 

With 180 electronic gaming machines the slot player will have plenty of variety and you can bet from 1c up to $1. Table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Caribbean Stud Poker are available for the traditional gambler. This casino offers events for your group such as corporate team building and mock gaming experiences so you can learn without losing.

Christchurch Casino

Do they have slots? Yes! 500 of the latest machines. Table games such as Baccarat, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Big Wheel etc..But a single card game of Casino War is also available- for the less experienced gambler who just wants to play a simple game. With 3 options to eat and drink at one of which is a sports bar you will not need to go far.

Skycity Auckland

The only casino in Auckland at the foot of the Skycity tower. Special VIP rooms cater for high stakes players. Otherwise there are 100 tables and 1600 machines. A Baccarat room, Poker games and Roulette are a sample of options. Rewards cards are a popular theme in Australian and New Zealand casinos- they make up for some losses that are inevitable. The sky tower itself provides theatre entertainment options and you can even do yoga in the sky.

Skycity Hamilton

 

Offering a possibility to gamble across 23 tables or 339 machines in the city of the same name. Electronic games such as Rapid Baccarat and Roulette are on offer.

 

Skycity Queenstown

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the southern hemisphere having a wide range of adventure tours and a lot of related tourism. Gambling offers an alternative: you can play Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat or one of the electronic machines. Big screen action is available in the sports betting bars, a feature of the Skycity brand.

Skycity Wharf Casino

Also based in Queenstown.