Macau to reach five times the size of Vegas in 2011

Macau, the world's largest gambling destination, saw its revenue increase by 44.6% in April to reach 20.51 billion Macanese patacas (US$2.56 billion). It was only in 2006 that Macau overtook Las Vegas as the world's most popular gambling destination, but it has climbed steadily ever since, while Las Vegas results have languished. Even recently introduced Singapore gambling has surged past Las Vegas into second place.

Macau's April revenues represents the Chinese enclave’s biggest ever monthly income, setting a new record in four of the past five months.

May is predicted to be another record month due to the planned holidays and success of the mass junkets from mainland China.

Since the beginning of the year analysts have been predicting a 29% increase in revenue for 2011 compared to the US$23.542 billion taken throughout 2010. So far, the first four months of 2011 have seen Macau’s thirty-three casinos generate US$9.879 billion in revenue, a rise of 43.3% over last year’s figure.

The Chinese government has been cautious to embrace this success, rather desiring that the enclave diversify towards a more balanced tourist industry.

At present pace, Macau’s revenue is now expected to reach five times that of the Las Vegas Strip’s by the end of 2011.