South-east Asia 'is Macau's chief target'

2008-09-08 17:30:39

Macau is targeting foreign visitors, but their priority is catering to those from south-east Asia, as opposed to westerners, an expert has said.

Total Gambler's Chris Marais said that while the region no doubt wishes to match Las Vegas in terms of attracting foreign visitors, it is gunning for a slightly different audience.

"I think that it's the local market they are looking at," he remarked. "South-east Asia is a real hotbed of gambling and the people there enjoy it immensely."

The prominence of baccarat is one of the main differences between Macau and Las Vegas.

James Bond's favourite casino pastime generates almost three-quarters of all gaming revenue in the former Portuguese colony, while it is relatively small in these terms compared to slot machines, blackjack and roulette in Nevada.

Macau also tends to be much more focused on actual gambling, while fine dining and entertainment are among Las Vegas' biggest money-spinners.