It’s not only Singapore that expects this weekend to be a good one for gambling revenue. Las Vegas and other casino locations around the US are hoping the triple celebration – Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and the long weekend for President’s Day – will bring in the visitors. In Singapore the weekend marks the actual start of a casino industry there, with the opening of Resorts World Sentosa’s casino in the Crockfords Tower hotel. Both Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day are associated with the colour red and most casinos from east to west will be decorated to comply with the traditions.

Macau is also expected to benefit even further from the start of the Chinese New Year holidays. This January gaming revenue jumped 65% from a year ago to a new monthly record of US$1.75 billion. These figures show just how much can change in twelve months – in January 2009 the BBC News was reporting ‘Bets are off for Macau gambling boom’ as development projects ground to a halt. In Las Vegas the picture is not so rosy, gaming revenues in Nevada fell 10.4% in 2009, the largest single-year decline in state history, but the casinos are hoping for record numbers of patrons over the long weekend.

The Year of the Tiger, which officially commences with the New Moon on Sunday, could be something of a roller-coaster ride for casinos. According to Chinese beliefs, Tiger years are typically marked by dramatic changes and upheaval. However, for those born in previous Tiger years who like to gamble it could be an auspicious year. They are attributed with the motto ‘I Win’. (E-02.12.10)

© Copyright 2010 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage