Las Vegas has long been known as the gambling capital of the world, attracting thousands of high-rollers and amateur gamblers alike each and every year thanks to its plethora of extravagant luxury resorts, lavish casinos and exciting entertainment schedules. And in 2020, the famous strip brought in an eye-watering $13.6 billion in revenue, $5 billion of which was attributed to gaming – making it one of the biggest gambling economies in the world.
But while there’s no denying that the bright lights of Vegas will always be a money-making machine, it is no longer the front-runner when it comes to annual revenue – and as more nations in Asia begin to relax laws around gambling and embrace the arrival of luxury casinos, many of the world’s most prolific gamblers are turning their attention elsewhere.
Online, popular games like 918Kiss are seeing a surge in player numbers in countries including Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, as casino enthusiasts across the continent seek to better their skills online – and with land-based casinos set to open in Japan over the next few years, it’s clear that there is a greater appetite for gambling in Asia than ever before.
The new king of the castle when it comes to global casino revenue, however, is Macau – which has surged past the competition quite substantially over recent years and brought in more than $29 billion in 2020 alone. The special administrative area of China has won itself a legion of loyal return visitors who are lured by its opulent hotels, extravagant eateries and of course, its lavish casinos, where many of the world’s biggest high rollers can often be found rubbing shoulders with the stars.
And when it comes to the world’s most profitable casinos, all three of them can be found right here.
Galaxy Macau, Macau
Part of the behemoth Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), the Galaxy Macau opened its doors back in 2011 and has gone on to become one of the highest grossing casinos in the world.
Part of a mammoth and ultra-luxurious super-resort boasting more than 2,200 rooms and suites, 50 restaurants, and even its own artificial beach, the Galaxy certainly doesn’t do things by halves, and the casino, which raked in more than $8 billion in 2019, is now rated the most profitable casino in the world.
Offering 650 table games and 1,500 slots, mega-rich gambling enthusiasts flock from across the globe to experience its legendary gaming halls first hand – and although numbers have been down since the onset of the ongoing global pandemic, it continues to turn over the big bucks.
In 2022, with travel restrictions finally eased, we can expect to see the Galaxy far exceed its previous record in the revenue stakes, with some of the world’s biggest spenders having already booked up the hotel’s most luxurious suites and preparing to splurge in the casino.
SIM Grand Lisboa Casino, Macau
Whilst its name might suggest a Portuguese location, the SIM Grand Lisboa is actually located in Macau – the new casino capital of the world.
The SIM Grand Lisboa is a luxurious and palatial resort that is one of the highlights of the city’s iconic skyline, and down at the casino you’ll find an impressive 800 gaming tables, along with 1,000 slot machines, making it just about every gambler’s dream.
In 2019, prior to the onset of the global pandemic, its revenue topped an eye-watering $4.27 billion – and after one or two hiccups over the past 18 months due to repeated lockdown-related closures, it’s now back open for business and continuing to attract an affluent crowd who are eager to splurge on their favourite games. During the interim, it took the opportunity to upgrade its magnificent gambling halls even further – and in 2022, we can expect to see its highest grossing year yet.
The Wynn Resort, Macau
A popular name on the iconic Vegas strip, the Wynn brand has also made its way over to Asia, and while it continues to spread its wings across the continent, its most impressive establishment to date is – perhaps unsurprisingly – located in Macau. In the final quarter of 2020, it managed to draw in more that $1.65 billion in revenue in spite of the ongoing global challenges, making its mark not just on the Macau skyline but on the global economy, too.
The holder of not one, but eight independent Forbes Five-Star awards, it has fast become a haven for big-spending foodies who enjoy indulging in memorable dining experiences between their games of poker and roulette. With 273,000 square feet of floor space and hundreds of table games and slots, it isn’t difficult to work up an appetite – and the Wynn, which features 1,000 rooms and suites and all manner of opulent facilities, is fast becoming the latest ‘place to be’.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
