Some of the Best Casinos Across the Globe
Prior to the worldwide economic downturn, the global casino industry was surging ahead, seemingly unstoppable. Growth records were set between 2004 and 2008, with gross gaming revenues jumping 24% during these four years to US$358.0 billion.
Then came the recession, which did not spare the casino industry. It was not only the plummeting of the global economy, but the weakness of its recovery that took a heavy toll on many economies. While the casino industry suffered in most counties, revenues from this industry in Macau surged 58% in 2010.
Global casinos and the online gaming industry is expected to garner revenues of $126.6 billion in 2012, representing a surge of 5.7% from the 2011 figure, according to IBISWorld. With this, the industry would register annual growth of 2.3% over five years. This highlights the contribution of the casino industry to the world economy and this contribution has continued to grow despite the global economic downturn.
Over the past decade, the center of the casino industry has shifted from Las Vegas to Macau. While these destinations have created history, there are several destinations that offer the exhilaration and entertainment that we have come to expect from this fascinating industry.
Through a series of two articles, I have tried to cover some of the best casinos around the world. In this article, I cover some of the fabulous casinos in Macau, Singapore, Australia and India. In the next article, I will cover some of the exciting casinos in Las Vegas, EU, South Africa and Nepal.
Macau
Macau is the world’s most lucrative casino hub, with revenues growing 5.5% in August 2012 and 12.3% in September 2012, as compared to the same periods a year ago. Among the best casinos in Macau are:
The Venetian Hotel
The world’s largest casino is modeled after its namesake casino is Las Vegas, its Venetian design (complete with canals) attracting tourists from far and wide. The 550,000 square feet casino comprises of four gaming areas – Phoenix, Golden Fish, Red Dragon and Imperial House. The Venetian Macau casino offers a huge variety of gambling options and houses more than 3,000 slot machines and around 800 gambling tables.
Wynn Macau
This is built with the same magnificence and luxury as its sister in Las Vegas, with the identical color scheme of red and beige. The casino, spanning 205,000 square feet, has more than 200 table games and almost 400 slot machines. That’s not all. World class entertainment shows, rows of designer labels and award winning chefs complete the unforgettable experience.
Hotel Lisboa
This is part of Grand Lisboa, the colossal lotus shaped glass building. The casino, the décor of which reflects Chinese and Portuguese influences, is home to almost 250 gaming tables and 500 slot machines. From baccarat to blackjack and roulette, there are a variety of games to choose from. The splendid light show projected from the largest integrated LED screen in the world adds to the grandeur.
Singapore
The latest arrivals on the world casino industry, Singapore’s two casinos garnered US$6 billion in gambling revenues in 2011.
Resorts World Sentosa
Located on the Sentosa Island, this casino spreads over 15,000 square meters and is situated beneath Crockfords Tower. There are a variety of electronic gaming machines, table games and slot machines. When visiting the casino, don’t miss a visit to the Universal Studios theme park, the restaurants serving various culinary delights and the dance shows that are all on the campus of Resorts World.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is the world’s most expensive casino hubs. Constructed at a whopping cost of S$8 billion, the resort has the world’s largest atrium casino. The casino houses around 600 slot machines and 500 tables. One can choose from a large variety of games, including baccarat, money wheel, pontoon, roulette, blackjack, mini dice and the popular Singapore stud poker. The resort is also famous for its SkyPark, a luxurious platform built meters in the air (as high as the Eiffel Tower), with various attraction along with a 150 meter long infinity swimming pool.
Australia
Although the Australian casino industry has been surrounding by uncertainty of late, the country has some of the most luxurious casinos in the world.
Crown Casino
Situated in Melbourne, Crown Casino finds itself on the banks of River Yarra. The casino houses around 2,500 slot machines and 350 tables, offering a great variety of games. In addition, the Crown also features some world class restaurants, shopping hubs and amusement joints making it an exemplary setting for the tourists. The entry door of this casino blends water, fire, black marble and music to create an exhilarating atmosphere and unforgettable experience.
Lasseters Casino
This is where you will find some of the most exciting games in the Australian outback. There are 17 gaming tables, with games such as American roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Texas hold’em poker, three card poker, Caribbean stud and big six. The electronic horse racing betting game is extremely popular and gives visitors a close-to-real experience. There are 300 slot machines. A calendar full of events and shows attract tourists throughout the year. The Sports Lounge and restaurants serving various culinary delights add to the charm of visiting Lasseters Hotel.
India
What? A casino in India? You thought it was illegal, right? Well, for most parts of the country, it is still against the law. However, there are two states – Goa and Sikkim – that have embraced the opportunities offered by the casino industry.
Casino Goa at Caravela
Constructed to match international standards, this casino is India’s first live gaming casino, and is aboard the cruise ship Caravela. One can play a variety of games, such as rummy, stud poker, flash, American roulette and blackjack.
Casino Royale
Goa’s largest casino is located on a massive boat anchored at the Mandovi River. This 12,000 square feet casino has 50 gaming tables and 30 slot machines.
Las Vegas at the Leela
The Leela Kempinski is famous for its Portuguese inspired design and landscaped gardens. It is among the world’s best beach resorts and is home to an elegant casino that offers games like American roulette and has various slot machines.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. In the next one, I will be covering some of the grand casinos at Las Vegas, the European Union, South Africa and Nepal.
Rakesh Wadhwa. Ever since, I was a school boy, I knew India was on the wrong path. Socialism was just not what we needed to get ahead. Government controlled our travel; government controlled our ability to buy and sell; and government controlled our freedom to move our money. My life has focused on the inherent rights people have. When I was in college, I never understood, what the governments meant by their "socialistic attitude". If people are free to buy, sell and move their capital themselves without any restrictions by state, then the welfare of people is inevitable & hence the countries they live in will become wealthy. The government has no right whatsoever, to point a finger at me or my business. I am not a revolutionary. I just want to light up my cigarette and not get nagged about it. I believe in non-interfering attitude to attain more. 
The Bastiat Award is a journalism award, given annually by the International Policy Network, London. Bastiat Prize entries are judged on intellectual content, the persuasiveness of the language used and the type of publication in which they appear. Rakesh Wadhwa won the 3rd prize (a cash award of $1,000 and a candlestick), in 2006.
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Some of the Best Casinos Across the Globe – Part II
November 8, 2012[…] my previous article, which you can read here, I covered some of the best casinos in the Eastern part of the world. Here, I have described some […]