Casinos in Macau Still Booming

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Although there are some rumblings in China concerning the direction in their economy, the casinos in Macau are still booming. In fact, the U.S. operators continue to enjoy great profits from their Macau casinos in addition to good profits from their US holdings. Certainly Wynn makes more from their Pai Gow tile games in Macau than in Las Vegas, but no less than its not this type of lopsided difference these days, however the money may also be staggering.

In addition, Steve Wynn (Wynn Vegas, Wynn Macau) and Sheldon Adelson (Sands China - first quarter net income up 66% from a year earlier to $751 million; and Sands Las Vegas which operates the Venetian) would not have the phenomenal debt that giants MGM Resorts and Caesar's Entertainment still hold, but recent developments in Macau have gaming stock investors shaken up.

In fact, the scoop reported this week by the South China Morning Post that some China Union Pay cards were being illegally used at casinos in Macau and will be banned from use in casinos (and that gaming revenues can have been under-reported in 2013 by up to half) sent a shiver through investors. That shiver led to a decline of nearly 10% within the stock price of Wynn and Las Vegas Sands. Whether this will likely ultimately have any impact on future gaming revenues in Macau is up for debate - and thus the associated fee fluctuations - however the overall Chinese economy must be the focal point. It's highly unlikely that some other changes will make an impact, because the Macau casino profits are greatly influenced by a tiny 2% in their whale players!

Read More... [Source: About.com Casino Gambling]