The Casinos

As you know I have been to Vegas once or twice. It is no doubt the party capital of the world. However Macau is the undisputed gambling capital. Revenues are six times that of Vegas. Six. 

Here it is all about gambling. So the hotels have massive massive gaming floors and not so many hotel rooms, night clubs or bars. In fact hardly any (relatively). The customers are day trippers from Hong Kong/main land China. 

No drinks comped if you are feeding slots or everyone getting dressed up as the evening starts. In fact hardly any booze is being consumed. I haven't seen anyone walking around with a bottle.  It means there are far less casino watrrsses - the benchmark of the quality of a casino in Vegas. As soon as you walk in to a new casino the age and apperance of the watrrsses is a clear Indication of the type of place it is!

Vegas has always impressed me with how discrete security is. Even in night clubs. When it kicks off the problem is cleared professionally without fuss almost before it starts.

Here in Macau the security is more visible. Unsmiling security stand around the hotels and gaming floor. They don't have guns though which is reassuring. 

Poor choice but the Grand Lisboa security guys all wear tangerine blazers. Even the croupiers have military style uniforms and stone faces. 

For reference no umbrellas, guns, luggage, under 21s or  photos allowed on the gaming floor. No smoking in the no smoking areas. It's the law.

I mention the gaming floor because it is a very specific walled off area in the Casino. Entry is past a guard who will I'd those who look younger than 21. There is also a metal detector arch to pass though. Obviously the Wynn has the top of the range diamond encrusted version. 

So unlike Vegas where slot machine take up every available space in corridors, food courts, airports and the street outside a casino, here it is in a very controlled area.

So from this point on all images of any gaming floor are taken at great personal risk. (did I mention all security are all smaller and older than me?)

Poker is in a minority. Baccarat and Sic Bo are the game of choice. Neither excite me. Casino war is also big here. All tables as far as the eye can see are 4 deep. 

The mins are high. Maybe because its the weekend. We will find out tomorrow. I can't be arsed playing £20 games of higher or lower. Lets hope mins come down and we'll have a flutter.