$3.2bn Casino Opens in Macau
Macau has surpassed Las Vegas when it comes to the planet’s number one casino destination and while Vegas undoubtedly still attracts more US and European visitors, Macau has plans to try and win new fans. The staggering Studio City opens today and this $3.2bn development is just part of a new phase in Macau’s growth and ambition.
Like any growing industry and area, Macau has suffered setbacks but with a planned $28bn to be spent over the coming three years it has a very real chance of expanding its appeal beyond mere gambling.
Last December Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, said that Macau had to reduce its reliance on gambling, with that sector accounting for 80% of its income. So, while Studio City will, naturally enough, feature a dizzying number of slots, tables (250 to be exact!) and gaming terminals, it will also aim to please families and non-gamblers too.
There will be the Warner Bros. Fun Zone, with themed party rooms and activities such as car racing and slides, more than 30 food outlets, a Batman Flight simulator, 35,000 square meters of pure retail therapy featuring entertainment and, of course, no end of luxury brands and a whole host of other non-gaming leisure and entertainment options, including the highest figure-8 Ferris wheel in the world!
The casino is opening to much fanfare, with the “integrated resort”, as the complex is billed, being launched by such Hollywood luminaries as Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, the three starring in a Marty Scorsese-directed short movie called The Audition which was filmed, and will be premiered at, Studio City. Each star allegedly received a cool $10m for their role, not bad work if you can get it!
Macau has been hit by the problems in the Chinese economy, as well as a number of reports and allegations of fraud but it is hoped that this project and others like it will turn things around.
If you can’t make it all the way to Macau then you can get the same thrill by playing in any of the great USA online casinos we feature. We can’t promise you a Batman ride but on the plus side you don’t have to fly to China AND you can claim a great casino bonus. Get started playing online slots for real money right from home and claim your bonus when you sign up as a new player.