With the start of the Olympics just ten days away Macau is offering more than gambling. It is already home to a holding camp for British competitors acclimatising to the warm humid conditions expected in Beijing. The location was apparently chosen over Bangkok, Seoul, Japan and elsewhere in China. The huge hotels that came with casino development in Macau have allowed for the athletes to be provided with all the facilities they need, but gambling trips are strictly off-limits.

Many in Macau are expecting the Olympics to lead to a fall in gambling revenue in August. The Chinese government has gone to great lengths to ensure that the games are highly visible and will be well watched. In another boost to non-gambling activity in Macau, warm-up games such as men’s basketball are being played at The Venetian Macau’s Cotai Arena. Those attending the Olympics may continue on to visit Macau whilst in the region, but it is a long way south of Beijing.

China seems to be trying to slow the rapid growth of gambling in Macau, where revenues are up 40% in the first six months this year. New visa restrictions will hit the mass market and Macau’s government has said it will postpone issuing any new gaming licences until the end of next year. Visitor numbers for the first half of 2008 rose 18.1% to just under 15 million. Apart from uncertainty over China’s next moves in regard to slowing down gambling expansion, difficulties over development financing is taking its toll with some projects delayed. (E-07.30.08)

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