Top 10 Popular Casinos in Macau: Admission Guide, Transportation, and Hotel Guide
There are more traditional Las Vegas-style games such as craps, but local game Sic Bo with big/small minimums of $300 is the real hit. This casino stands out for being the first in Macau to offer Texas hold ’em poker ring games and craps, although several other casinos in Macau now offer the game. Owned by international resort developer Wynn Resorts, Wynn Palace has 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, suites and villas, versatile meeting facilities and over 106,000 square feet (9,800 m2) of luxury retail. With high rollers pouring in from China and elsewhere in East Asia, its gross gaming revenue dwarfs that of other gambling hubs. Macau is often regarded as the gambling capital of the world. Here’s our guide to the six best casinos to visit in the East Asian gambling capital.
You will find over 1,500 slot machines and more than 500 table games to test Lady Luck at. But the majority of the action is not happening at slot machines, but at the tables. With over 3,400 slot machines, The Venetian Macao surpasses even the biggest Atlantic City and Las Vegas Casinos.
The Sands is the tenth largest casino by floor space in the world, with nearly 1,400 slot machines and 740 tables over 229,000 square feet. This makes the Sands casino a great option to choose if looking for a lightning-quick gambling trip from Hong Kong. The Sands Macau is located just off the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, or Doca dos Pescadores, on Macau Island, making it a beautiful location to gamble and enjoy the views over the sea. The towering replica even boasts the famous green lawn underneath, meaning you can really feel like you’re in Europe while gambling in some of the world’s biggest and best casinos. The minimum bets on the tables are usually around USD$300, with a pass line bet of USD$100 on Craps. For something in the middle, place bets of USD$50 to USD$300 on Live Gaming Baccarat or enjoy online roulette for USD$5 and Sic Bo for USD$30. If you fancy, you can even go for a trip on one of the resort’s 51 gondolas and enjoy the canal by water with your own singing boatman.
The venue was designed with gambling as the priority, so don’t expect to find as many entertainment options or attractions as at other venues, although the casino does have some of Macau’s best fine dining restaurants. As the only region in China where gambling is legal, Macau hosts some of the most luxurious, extravagant, and profitable casinos on the planet. I share my real travel stories, easy itineraries and honest tips from my own trips. However, if going as an adult in search of the rush of gambling, you may grab a taxi or take a local bus and head to one of the other casinos that offer better gaming facilities at a price.
Plus, it boasts the 15,000 seater Cotai Arena, which has held epic events including music acts, UFC fights, NBA exhibition matches, and more. Instead of focusing on nightlife and parties, Macau emphasizes shopping and leisure amenities. In 2016, it was estimated that Macau’s gambling industry was seven times that of Las Vegas. Macau, which is a semi autonomous region in China, and gambling has been legal there since the 1850s (when it was a Portuguese colony) and casinos have been around since the 1960s. While technically gambling is illegal in China, the special administrative region of Macau is one of the hottest gaming destinations in the world. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and transportation options in advance, and select the right hotel to ensure your Macau trip is smooth and unforgettable.
You’ll find minimum bets on slot machines ranging from USD$0.02 to USD$10; online gaming ranging from USD$10 to USD$100; and table games ranging from USD$300 for Blackjack, Three Card Poker, and Three Card Baccarat to USD$2,000 for Baccarat in the high-stakes section. There is only one closed-off section, which is dedicated to the high-rollers – this is the VIP room that houses 50 gaming tables and 100 slot machines. Additionally, the Wynn offers a heated swimming pool, a spa, fine dining and casual dining, and 26,000 square feet of exclusive luxury shopping.
However, the Grand Lisboa is not renowned for its entertainment but gets more publicity for its gambling. Other than gambling, the Wynn Macau offers high-end art pieces as well as art-entertainment installations. Having said that, the Wynn casino still offers the chance to bet low on the slot machines while being enveloped in the atmosphere of a true, classy casino where you can dress in a black tie and sip a martini like a true gentleman. The Wynn Macau, which is located on Macau island and is just a stone’s throw away from the MGM, is a luxurious casino designed for high rollers and VIPs. However, it is an easy taxi or bus ride to close casinos such as the Wynn, MGM, and Grand Lisboa, or you can take advantage of the Sands limousine service and head somewhere a little further (you can also take the limousine to the closer hotels if you so choose). The Sands Macau also offers some resident shows, including Baby Dolls and Baccarat Babes, as well as other performances in the Sands Theatre.
In addition, the resort offers several fun activities to keep the family occupied while you can have the time of your life at the gambling table. However, if you are looking for a true gambling experience, use the Altira as your base and explore some of the larger casinos in town. On the tables, you’ll find the minimum bets go up significantly, with minimum bets of USD$3,000 on Baccarat and USD$500 on Commission Free Baccarat. Online gaming offers minimum bets of USD$50, with USD$30 for Sic Bo and Roulette in the Mocha Slots Parlor. The Altira has changed somewhat, however, shifting focus from VIP-centered gambling to a wider audience. The Altira Macau, located in the north of Macau’s Taipa district, is considered one of the best hotels with a casino you haven’t heard of.
Or to put it another way, Galaxy is comfortably second in overall gambling market share, on the strength of just two trusted casinos in Canada, only one of which is any good. I can think of only one thing worse than gambling on crack, and that’s gambling in a crack house, which is what makes the Venetian so dangerous. No matter what you think of the Grand Lisboa’s controversial design, the casino has always been top notch, highlighted by four floors of gaming and 9 games, including $200 Commission Free Baccarat and Sic Bo, fantastic minimums for a casino this size. Here’s something I probably shouldn’t admit, running a website with a large emphasis on Macau gambling and all, but I’ll say it anyway – if you’ve been to one Macau casino, you’ve been to them all. Backpackingmacau travelthe land of wanderlustTLOWtravelwanderlust
