For many visitors, the casinos
of Macau are sufticient entertainment in themselves. For other,
however, there is a surprising variety of activities available;
a lot of the sports and nightlife outlets are centred on the
larger and newer hotels, but all it needs is a little effort,
and some enthusiasm, for the longer-staying visitor to discover
the multi-facetted attractions of Macau.
Gambling
There are ten casinos in Macau, all operated under Government
franchise by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversies de Macau
(STDM) and rules are standard in all gaming halls. All casinos
are open 24 hours a day, except when storm signals indicate
the approach of a typhoon.
Macau's casinos offer the largest variety of casino games
anywhere in the world, combining both established western
favourites with long popular eastern games of chance. Players
can opt for such games as blackjack, baccarat, pai kao, roulette,
boule, "big and small", fantan and pacapio, or choose
from the array of slot machines (called "hungry tigers"
by the Chinese) which are computer-linked for super jackpot
pay-outs.
The largest casino is a three-storey complex of public and
VIP rooms at Hotel Lisboa. Then there is the Macau Palace
on a converted ferry moored in the Outer Harbour, the Jai
Alai Casino close to the ferry terminal, the upmarket casinos
in the Mandarin Oriental, Hyatt Regency, New Century, Pousada
Marina Infante and Kingsway hotels, a smaller gaming hall
in the Holiday Inn and the Kam Pek casino which is the only
one to accept local money for all games. (Elsewhere Hong Kong
dollars are needed.)
Pacapio, a version of keno (a kind of tombola), is played
in the Lisboa, Jai Alai and in a hall behind the Sintra Hotel.
Punters choose four to 25 numbers from one to 80, and winners
are chosen bv computer.
Visitors to the casinos should read the sign at each entrance,
urging players to hazard only what they can afford at the
gaming tables. Winners are not obliged to tip, but croupiers
will usually deduct about 10% of the winnings. There is
no entry fee to the casinos, but admission is refused to
foreigners under 18 years of age and 21 years for local
residents. There is no dress code - it is informal, but
highly professional.
There is betting, on and offcourse, at the Macau Jockey
Club and dog-racing Canidrome.
