Macau’s gambling culture is among the oldest and most concentrated in the world: legal gambling dates to the 1840s under Portuguese rule, was reshaped by Stanley Ho’s four-decade monopoly, and expanded rapidly after liberalisation in 2002 to make Macau the ‘gambling capital of the world’, overtaking the Las Vegas Strip in revenue by 2007. The floor is dominated by baccarat, and land-based casino gaming — not online play — remains the beating heart of the city.

From fantan houses to a Portuguese licence

Gambling in Macau is well over a century old. The Portuguese colonial administration legalised gambling in the 1840s (sources cite 1847 and 1849), and in the late 19th century the government introduced a licensing system for the fantan houses (Chinese gambling houses); it is reported that over 200 gambling houses paid gambling rent to the government during that period. Fantan — a bead-counting game — was a dominant pastime long before Western table games came to dominate the floor.

The Stanley Ho monopoly (1962-2001)

In 1962 the government granted a monopoly over all forms of gambling to Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM), controlled by Stanley Ho. STDM introduced Western-style games, improved the Hong Kong-Macau ferry link and drew millions of visitors. The licence was extended in 1986 and expired at the end of 2001.

Liberalisation and the concessionaires

In 2002 the government ended the monopoly and awarded concessions (and sub-concessions) to international operators. Under the current framework, effective from 1 January 2023 and running to 31 December 2032, six concessionaires hold ten-year licences: SJM, Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment, Melco Resorts, MGM China and Wynn Macau. With their entry, Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gaming revenue in 2007 and has been the world’s highest-grossing casino market ever since.

Why baccarat rules the floor

Baccarat is by far the most-played game in Macau, and its variants — from high-limit VIP baccarat to mass-market tables — account for the overwhelming majority of casino gaming revenue. Its speed, simple player choices and room for ritual and superstition make it the runaway favourite of Chinese players; taxes derived from baccarat are the single largest source of public revenue in Macau. Sic Bo, Fan Tan, blackjack, roulette and slot machines round out the offer.

Attitudes and social response

Gambling is woven into Macau’s economy and identity, but the government pairs it with responsible-gambling measures: entry age limits (18+ for the public), self-exclusion, and the Social Welfare Bureau’s counselling services, including the 24-hour hotline on 2832 3998. Online and remote gambling, by contrast, is treated as a criminal matter rather than a leisure activity.

Sources

18+ only. If gambling stops being fun, call the Macau Gambling Counselling Hotline on 2832 3998. Please gamble responsibly.