The Hong Kong government has commissioned a study showing that betting in Macau casinos is among the favourite gambling activities of people in the country.
Commissioned to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the study reveals that a total of 11.9% of Hong Kong residents gambled in at least one Macau casino last year, with their average monthly spending reaching $182. As Macau Business reports, that’s a sharp increase from the last survey when it was reported as $55.1 in 2008.
The study concluded that nearly two-thirds of Hong Kong residents participated in some form of gambling last year, down from 71.3% in 2008.
The study states: “There was a decrease in participation of all sorts of gambling activities except Macau casinos, which should be put to greater attention as the amount of monthly betting money in Macau casinos became triple.”
A total of 2,024 people aged 15-64 were interviewed by telephone for the survey.
Asia Entertainment & Resources – a firm which operates VIP rooms at StarWorld, the Venetian Macao and Galaxy Macau – posted fourth-quarter net income of $16.4 million today. That’s compared to $10.6 million in the same quarter a year ago.
Revenue from VIP gaming operations for the quarter was $69.71 million, up from $43.10 million year-on-year.
AERL chairman Lam Man Pou said in a report by Macau Business: “We are forecasting continued double-digit growth in rolling chip turnover for 2012.”
At least 10 casino resorts and hotels in Macau have joined a government scheme to get properties to reduce their water consumption.
The biggest water consuming casinos, including the MGM Macau, the Venetian Macao and City of Dreams are taking steep measures to reduce water consumption, Macau Business reports.
This means an estimated a reduction in water usage by 10 percent annually for MGM and the equivalent of 46 Olympic swimming pools for the Venetian.
It is thought as many as 20 casinos and hotels will take part in the scheme, which is a move by the Maritime Administration, aimed at reducing water consumption.
