Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines or even Thailand, in Southeast Asia, but also South Korea or Japan, are becoming a reference destination for gambling lovers . If the future of gaming is in Asia , this is our list:
Macau: the paradise of gambling
With the return of Macau to China in 1999 the former Portuguese colony experienced spectacular economic growth . Although gambling halls and casinos were already present, especially under the monopoly of the well-known tycoon Stanley Ho , the liberalization of the gambling market in Macau carried out by the Chinese government in 2001 meant opening the doors to Las Vegas competitors and gave the city the definitive impetus to become the betting capital of Asia. The Sands, Wynn, MGM..., all have properties in Macau, some of which fall into the list of the largest casinos in the world .
In mainland China and also in Hong Kong gambling is banned, that is the reason Macau receives so many Chinese visitors, as it is the only place where you can legally bet. With the arrival of foreign operators, the way of enjoying the casino space also changed, which was equipped with a greater glamor, with musical shows, luxury shops and spaces for leisure or business . The economic advantages for the special administrative region are obvious. Unemployment in Macau was virtually non-existent until the entertainment industry suffered the scourge of the pandemic .
Still, will Macau be able to continue to lead the entertainment in Asia? Which cities or regions are in the position to unseat Macau as the gaming capital in Asia? Read on to find out.
Singapore: the global city
Singapore is a unique global case. This sovereign city consists of sixty-three islands! he got his independence a little by chance. Its privileged geographical position in the Strait of Malacca has earned it an economic growth related to the global traffic of goods by sea, to which new technologies have joined, being together with Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea one of the the four Asian tigers . City it enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world .
Unlike Macau, Singapore does not stand out precisely for the quantity of its casinos, but it stands out, nevertheless, for its quality. The ban on gambling was repealed in 2010, and with an economic policy decidedly in favor of the free market, large foreign operators set their eyes on the city. The two casinos that stand out are the Resorts World Sentosa and the spectacular Marina Bay Sands . This was considered the most expensive casino in the world at the time of its construction, it cost about 5,700 million dollars; although in a short time it had already recovered the investment. Tourism and gambling are booming in Singapore, with an economy that despite the crises remains buoyant. However, it is an expensive and very competitive city.
Manila: the booming alternative
The Philippines is one of the top tourist destinations in Asia. Today it is presented as one of the biggest competitors of Macau and Singapore as far as the gambling industry is concerned. In this way, the Asian country with a Spanish past wants to combine the tourist destination of fantastic beaches and turquoise waters with leisure and entertainment .
Resorts World Manila or Solaire Resort, among others, have nothing to envy to their counterparts in Macau. The latter offers a spectacular view of Manila Bay. City of Dreams is another of the resorts in the capital that attracts table and slot enthusiasts. With three integrated hotels, numerous restaurants, leisure centers and luxury shops, this complex is one of the most ambitious that one can find in the city. No doubt, Manila is becoming the third destination for casino lovers in Asia , behind Macau and Singapore, and in a serious alternative to these.
Malaysia: the casino on the hill
Did you already know the fun city above the clouds ? This is the spectacular casino operated by Genting Malasya Berhad that you will find in Malaysia. The hill is located at about 1,700 meters, so the qualification comes to him that not even painted. It is a tourist complex located an hour's drive from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. You can also access it via two cable car services, the Genting Skyway and the Awana Skyway.
Getting a license to operate in the Malaysian country is not easy at all, and the Genting group, owned by billionaire Lim Kok Thay, has diversified its operations and we can also see it present in the casino businesses in the Philippines and Singapore, with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and the United States. Maybe we will see him very soon in New Zealand . Although it has obtained the necessary license to operate in our country, it still does not have a website that offers gambling.
South Korea: the other guest
Perhaps it is not the most obvious a priori destination, since gambling is prohibited in the country... although only for Koreans. This means that casinos in South Korea are exclusively aimed at foreign tourists . The best place to play is the Paradise Walker Center, which is located in the capital Seoul. However, precisely because of the strict legislation, you will not find anything like Macau or Singapore, or even Manila. But obviously, if you are in the country, nothing will prevent you from enjoying any of the resorts that exist in the hotel facilities.
Another country where the situation is changing is Japan, which recently passed the law that allows gambling and it has allowed the opening of the first casinos.
