Macau and Cotai Casino Operators
Prior to 2002, gambling in Macau was controlled by one person, Stanley Ho. In 2002, the government of Macau broke up Stanley Ho’s casino monopoly and awarded three valuable gambling concessions (licenses) from a pool of 21 applicants. Stanley Ho (SJM) was awarded one license, and two new entrants received concessions – Galaxy Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. Galaxy Entertainment had been working closely with Las Vegas Sands to jointly develop casino resorts in Cotai. However, Galaxy Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands had different visions and could not come to agreement on plans, so the government awarded Las Vegas Sands a sub-concession license so the company could pursue its development vision. To be fair, the government also awarded sub-concession licenses to Ho and Wynn. So SJM granted Stanley Ho’s daughter, Pansy Ho (who teamed up with MGM Mirage to form MGM Grand Paradise), its sub-concession license, and Wynn Resorts went on to sell its sub-concession license to Melco PBL (a joint venture between Stanley Ho’s son and Australia’s PBL) for a whopping US$900 million. Read more about the history of gaming and casino operation in Macau in the A.G. Burnett Testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission here.
Six Companies Currently Own and Operate Macau Casinos.
SJM (Stanley Ho)
Stanley Ho previously had a monopoly on the Macau gaming market until the laws were liberalised.
Galaxy Entertainment
Galaxy Entertainment is a publicly traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code 27). Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Galaxy Casino, the company operates five casinos in Cotai and Macau and has one under construction.
Casino and Hotel Resorts
Galaxy’s flagship casino, the Galaxy Starworld, is located in the heart of the Macau Peninsula gaming hub. The 5-star hotel has a unique “Asian Heart” to match its unique shape, which helps make itself one of the most noticeable and memorable casinos in Macau. Under construction with a planned mid-2008 opening, the Galaxy GalaxyWorld Resort will be a mythically themed “must see” attraction just off the Cotai Strip. When its phase II expansion is complete in 2012, the Galaxy Cotai Mega Resort casino will truly live up to its “Mega Resort” name by offering 12,000 hotel rooms and 1,500 gambling tables. Galaxy Entertainment also operates four CityClub casinos in Macau, which are partnered with Macau hotels not owned by Galaxy. The CityClub Casinos are The Waldo Casino, The Rio Casino, and The President Casino on the Macau Peninsula, along with The Grand Waldo Casino in Cotai. The CityClub casinos are smaller, VIP oriented casinos that are partnered with Macau hotels to conveniently offer a full range of amenities.
Wynn Resorts
Wynn Resorts is a publicly traded company on the NYSE (ticker symbol WYNN), majority owned by Las Vegas visionary Steve Wynn. The company opened the luxurious Wynn Macau on the Macau Peninsula in 2007 to rave reviews and has redefined Macau’s hotel casino landscape.
Wynn Cotai
While the company controls 52 acres in Cotai, Macau, the company has yet to announce anything definitive regarding the development of their Cotai site. Wynn had previously stated that the company would do a joint venture to develop the Cotai site, but has since changed plans and now appears to be developing the site itself with a possible 2009 opening. The Cotai land plot is large enough to build more than one casino resort if the company chooses.
MGM Grand Paradise
MGM Grand Paradise is a 50/50 joint venture between the US publicly traded casino company MGM-Mirage (MGM on NYSE) and Stanley Ho’s daughter, Pansy Ho.
MGM United States
MGM-Mirage is mainly a Las Vegas casino owner and operator that formed over the years through the acquisitions of Steve Wynn’s old Mirage, and more recently Mandalay Bay Group. The company’s best known Las Vegas Strip properties are the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, and Treasure Island, and is also building the US $9 billion City Center on the Las Vegas Strip.
MGM Macau and Cotai
MGM Grand Paradise owns a hotel casino resort on the Macau Peninsula called MGM Grand Macau. In February 2007, the MGM Grand Paradise announced its plans to begin planning a second casino resort somewhere in Cotai. The company has not disclosed much detail regarding the project. At this point the size and exact location of MGM Grand Paradise’s Cotai unknown.
Las Vegas Sands
Las Vegas Sands is a publicly traded casino company on the NYSE that trades under the ticker symbol LVS. The company is majority owned by the second wealthiest person in the world, Sheldon Adelson.
LVS Casinos and Hotels
In Las Vegas, the company owns the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, along with the integrated Sands Expo Center and the adjacent Palazzo Casino that is currently under construction.
In Macau, Las Vegas Sands ushered in a new era of Macau tourism and gambling with the opening of its beautiful Sands Macao on May 18, 2004 on the Macau peninsula. Before the Sands Macau opened, Macau gambling was monopolized by Stanley Ho, who ran mostly old, unspectacular gambling casinos. In addition to the Sands Macau, Las Vegas Sands is building its soon to be flagship casino in Macau, the Venetian Macao, along with the infrastructure of the Cotai Strip. The company is also planning a multi-billion dollar tourism and MICE project on Hengqin Island, China, which is just a stone’s throw from Cotai, Macau.
The company is also developing casinos in Singapore, Pennsylvania and continues to pursue international expansion of its growing casino empire.
Melco PBL
Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Limited is a 50/50 joint venture between Melco International Development and Australia’s Publishing and Broadcasting Limited that is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker symbol MPEL. Melco PBL operates six Mocha Slot parlors throughout Macau, is building two new casinos in the Cotai area of Macau, and is planning a third casino on the Macau peninsula.
Melco PBL Casinos
The luxurious Crown Macau in Taipa, scheduled to open in 2007, will call itself Macau’s first six-star resort. Melco PBL’s underwater themed USD$2 billion City of Dreams casino will open its first phase in 2008 and become one of Cotai’s “must-see” attractions. In addition, Melco PBL has land set aside for a third casino that is currently being called the Macau Peninsula Project, and the company will also manage the casino operations for eSun’s Cotai Strip project, Macau Studio City, once it opens.
Melco PBL Mocha Slots
Melco PBL owns six separate Mocha Slot parlors located throughout Macau and Cotai. The slot parlors are small in size and usually located in hotels.
Other Macau and Cotai Casino Brands
You will also see other companies and brands mentioned, such as Four Seasons, Hard Rock, and eSun. If the company mentioned is not one of the six concessionaires listed above, then the company will not own or manage its own casino. The company will need to get one of the six concessionaires to actually run the casino aspect of the resort. Or in some cases, it is just a company licensing its brand to another company, as is the case with the Hard Rock.
The Official Website of Hotels In Macau™
Benefits of Booking at Hotels in Macau
- Search over 765,000 hotels in 192 countries
- Get cheap hotel rates worldwide fast and easy
- Never ever overpay for travel and accommodation
- Confidently read through our Verified Hotel Reviews
- We are powered by Hotelligent™ an industry leader!
Hotel and Travel News
-
How well do you know the foods of the world? Take our national dish quiz to find outFriday the 3rd, 2020
Are you hot stuff or just cold leftovers? Find out in our food and travel quizathonA francesinha (frenchie) is a speciality of Porto, Portugal (pictured), but what is it?A crisp, almond-flavoured biscuit for dipping in a fortified wineA meat-free version of a croque monsieur, with grilled cheese...
-
Trekking to Everest base camp – by climbing the stairs at homeFriday the 3rd, 2020
Virtual expedition team ascends 5,364 metres over five days in indoor mountain climbing challenge April in Nepal usually means thousands of trekkers trudging up to Everest base camp. This spring the mountain is free of crowds but the trekkers are still trudging – up stairs, back steps, even up...
-
A new form of house music: Berlin clubs livestream DJ setsFriday the 3rd, 2020
It may be under lockdown but the techno capital is still banging – in kitchens worldwide, as Berlin clubs unite so fans can party at homeWith bars, nightclubs and restaurants closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, nightlife in Berlin, was expected to come to a halt. But no, the beats are still...
-
Why ‘can I get a refund?’ is travel's biggest issue: Coronavirus Q&AThursday the 2nd, 2020
Customers are all asking the same question of an industry in freefall. As one tour operator says, how firms respond will shape whether or not they have a futureFor the past two weeks we’ve addressed several questions in our Q&A but increasingly readers want to know the answer to just one:...
-
We're taking the kids camping – in the living roomThursday the 2nd, 2020
Campers and open-water swimmers are coping with lockdown by going wild in their own homes and gardens. Are you doing the same? Share your virtual adventures at #guardiantravelsnapsDesperate times call for creativity, and for cooped-up outdoor enthusiasts that means attempting to conjure up a...
-
10 of the best places to revisit after lockdown: readers' travel tipsThursday the 2nd, 2020
Some places stand as monuments to recovery, others inspire our readers with their beauty – or the wisdom of the ancientsTen years ago we were at Epidaurus, and each took turns to descend to the orchestra and read from Sophocles or Euripides – among the wisest writers of all time. It’s been...
-
Top 10 budget beach hotels and B&Bs on Mexico’s Pacific coastWednesday the 18th, 2015
Enjoy ocean views from rooftop bars or just step out and get the sand between your toes. From Mazatlán to Pochutla, here are 10 charming beachside escapesMexico’s Pacific coast, more than 1,000 miles of it, is renowned for its beaches, as well as the resorts which have attracted Hollywood...
-
Top 10 budget beach hotels, guesthouses and hostels on the Yucatán peninsula, MexicoMonday the 16th, 2015
Well-known and deservedly popular for its jungle, coast and ancient ruins, the Yucatán peninsula can be a pricey place to stay – unless you pick one of these brilliant budget hotels and hostelsOn the surface, this mid-size hotel in Cancún’s hotel zone is pretty unremarkable. The...
-
Top 10 budget beach B&Bs in the SeychellesMonday the 26th, 2015
The Seychelles islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue may be known for their luxury resorts but there is also a great selection of family-run, more affordable guesthouses just as close to the archipelago’s famous, world-class beachesFor a room with a five-star view, Colibri is hard to beat....
-
Top 10 budget beach guesthouses and B&Bs in South Africa's Western CapeMonday the 5th, 2015
From Cape Town and its peninsula to the Garden Route and the West Coast, the Western Cape is a dazzling part of South Africa, and its beachside accommodation doesn’t have to break the bankTop 10 budget beach stays in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Continue reading...
-
How to fend off your conspiracy obsessed relatives during the holiday seasonTuesday the 24th, 2019
When Uncle Ted has a few drinks and starts screaming that the world is flat, have a few tactics ready to counter his bizarre rantsIt’s the holidays: time for eggnog, ironic Christmas sweaters, and interactions with relatives you’d avoid like the plague if you didn’t share DNA.Perhaps in...
-
Forget Bali, I found bliss in the blandness of a chain hotel | Emma BrockesFriday the 18th, 2019
Four days spent alone in Florida pushed me to the limits of boredom. But it was just what I neededI was in a chain hotel 20 miles north of Orlando for meetings that would last, on and off, for four days. This was not a holiday resort. Outside, the rain was bathwater warm, the pool windswept and...
-
Spain road trip: Granada to AlmeríaWednesday the 7th, 2019
The Alhambra marks the start of a drive taking in historic cities, a river valley and mountains – and ends in Almería’s spaghetti western desertGranada is dominated by its mighty Moorish fortress, the Alhambra. Book ahead and visit early, at its least-crowded, and then spend the afternoon...
-
French leave: fun places to stay on four routes to the south of FranceFriday the 19th, 2019
With the annual summer dash under starter’s orders, we suggest how to turn a schlep into a road trip, staying in treehouses, chateaux and cool hotels en routeFrom the north-west ferry ports (St Malo, Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre) down the west of France, via Nantes and Bordeaux, to the south-west...
-
Coast through summer: 10 itineraries for the UK seasideSaturday the 6th, 2019
Get beach ready with our week-long planners to 10 glorious seaside spots, covering everything from secluded coves to surf lessons, boat rides and places to stay Continue reading...
-
Turin city break: the best music, restaurants and cultureWednesday the 3rd, 2019
Electro music fans are heading to Turin for this weekend’s Kappa Futurfestival, but this also one of the best cities in Italy for culture and affordable restaurantsWithout Turin, Italy would be a totally different country. It was pivotal to the unification in 1861 and served as the first...
-
Tarifa holiday guide: the best activities, bars, restaurants and hotelsSaturday the 1st, 2019
This beach town in the far south of Spain, only a windsurf away from Africa, mixes a surfer vibe with excellent nightlifeIt’s the most southerly town in mainland Europe, only 14km from Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar. It’s a 1,000-year-old walled labyrinth with a youthful party scene...
-
Arctic adventure: a photography tour of GreenlandFriday the 20th, 2019
Our readers’ photo competition winner travelled to Greenland with small, specialist tour operator Wild Photography Holidays. His images reflect threatened landscapes and remote communities Continue reading...
-
Making a song and dance: the simple things keeping people goingWednesday the 1st, 2020
A daily street bop, a singing Facebook group and a free Rick Astley gig – how people are staying cheerful in the coronavirus crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAs the coronavirus crisis continues, people up and down the country – from local communities to 80s...
-
Government clashes with Travelodge after homeless told to leaveWednesday the 25th, 2020
Chain urged to reverse decision to remove families and key worker guests over coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters have clashed with the Travelodge hotel group after it emerged it gave homeless families and key worker guests just two hours to leave...
-
Homeless Travelodge residents turned out on to streetWednesday the 25th, 2020
Families asked to leave hotels due to coronavirus, in apparent defiance of guidanceCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageHundreds of residents of the budget hotel chain Travelodge, including homeless families housed there by local councils, have been turned out on to the...
-
Hotel thieves aren’t stealing toiletries – but framed art, TVs, a fireplaceMonday the 23rd, 2020
They’re putting the average shoplifter to shame by taking paintings and mattresses. How do they get away with it?Peter Greenberg knows all about frequent-flyer hotel thieves – and we’re not talking just towels and toiletries.The investigative journalist, better known to front desk managers...
-
Ski companies face huge financial hit after coronavirus shutdownThursday the 19th, 2020
Some skiers are still trying to make it back from the Alps after the weekend closures, while the industry is struggling after what was already a tricky season The ski industry is battling to cope with the fallout from the sudden shutdown of resorts across the Alps, where the season has ended four...
-
UK travel industry urges government action to forestall collapse of businessesWednesday the 18th, 2020
Current package regulations are not designed to cope with a global crisis of the coronavirus outbreak’s scale, sector leaders warnThe UK travel sector is calling on the government to make immediate changes to the package travel regulations to prevent “innumerable company collapses and the...
-
40 extraordinary places to stay in the UKSaturday the 14th, 2020
A special place to stay can make a holiday – but also break the bank. We’ve found 40 unique spots with bags of personality for £100 a room a night or less Continue reading...
-
My eagle-eyed winter wander around the Isle of WightFriday the 28th, 2020
The island isn’t only for summer holidays: the colder months are perfect for birding and walks along trails that will form part of the England Coast PathThe Isle of Wight is having a moment. That’s what conservationist Dave Fairlamb tells me as we eat homemade cake on a silver-grey afternoon,...
-
Five holiday regions of France you may not knowSaturday the 22nd, 2020
At more than twice the size of the UK, France has lots to offer beyond the Riviera and Loire valley, such as these lesser-known spots offering wild coasts, rugged hills and chateaux galore Continue reading...
-
My favourite family holiday: chosen by readersMonday the 3rd, 2020
Memories of summer fun and family adventures come flooding back to our tipsters as they recall halcyon days on the beach, under canvas and on the roadFamily holidays for us require three things: fantastic food, guaranteed sun and something different. San Stefanos on Corfu provides all three and...
-
Send us a tip on a destination you'd love to revisit in the future for a chance to win £200 towards a Sawday's stayTuesday the 24th, 2020
Tell us about a destination full of memories for you – that you’d love to return to once the Covid-19 crisis is overFirst of all, many apologies to readers who contributed to last week’s assignment on wildlife reserves, but we’ve had to postpone its publication given the Covid-19 crisis...
-
10 of the best places to visit in spring: readers' travel tipsWednesday the 18th, 2020
Enjoying spring is going to be difficult this year, but our tipsters know beautiful countryside and gardens where you may well be alone with naturePlease check with each site before travelling; many places are taking decisions on whether to close or remain open on a day-to-day basis. Continue...
-
Send a tip on a wildlife reserve in the UK for the chance to win £200 towards a Sawday's stayTuesday the 17th, 2020
Whether it’s a wetlands, mountainside, coastal fringe, forest or heath … share details of your favourite UK nature reserveAs with all attractions, some wildlife reserves may be closed during the coronavirus outbreak. Please recommend your favourites with a view to informing readers; we are...
-
10 of Europe's best converted and repurposed buildings: readers’ tipsFriday the 13th, 2020
All change! For train stations and factories that are now hotels and museums, and a flour mill serving as a roost for art lovers – and sea birdsA former tram power station in the Wola district of Warsaw now provides a home for the Warsaw Uprising Museum. What could have been a bleak, industrial...
-
Paradise Island JA Manafaru Maldives Transforms Into All-inclusive ResortThursday the 5th, 2020
Guests now benefit from an all-inclusive meal plan which offers a culinary journey of 7 restaurants and bars, complimentary experiences and premium beverages from 11am-11pm, as they embrace island life on the magnificent lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll at the northern tip of the Maldives. -
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Reveals Multi-sensory Experiences in Seven Cities Around the WorldWednesday the 26th, 2020
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts unveils some of the most authentic ways to experience New York, London, Dubai, Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Shanghai, inspiring and redefining travel in some of the world’s most famous cities in 2020 -
Top Destinations to Visit in 2020Monday the 13th, 2020
At the beginning of every year, it’s great to have a look at the destinations that are making a statement for your next adventure! -
How Overtourism Killed Spontaneous Travel - CNNWednesday the 20th, 2019
Picture the scene. You're on vacation. You've had a slow morning wandering round, a long lunch and a stroll around the city. You realize you're near that gallery you've been meaning to visit -- so you walk over. Even five years ago, you could probably have sauntered in... -
Construction Begins on Detroit's First Cambria HotelMonday the 4th, 2019
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) and Koucar Management celebrate the official start of construction on Detroit's first Cambria hotel: the Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown. Slated to open in 2020, the modular-construction, six-story, 158-room upscale hotel will become the... -
Top Sunny Isles Beach ResidencesThursday the 31st, 2019
Sunny Isles Beach is a gem, with a far-flung Oleta River State Park, filled with outdoor activities opportunities, including jogging, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and much more, and world-renowned restaurants, bars, and clubs. -
Tourism in the Balkans: Raising the Bar for EuropeMonday the 28th, 2019
Amidst relatively modest growth in visitor numbers across Europe during 2019, the Balkans region has been this year’s stand-out success story for the tourism industry. Ask anyone that has experienced the area’s rugged mountains, glittering coastline and UNESCO World Heritage sites... -
Nashville the Most Expensive US City for Hotels, Survey ShowsThursday the 10th, 2019
Nashville is the most expensive city in the United States for accommodation, according to a survey by Cheaphotels.org, which compared hotel rates across 50 urban destinations. -
Thousand Hills Golf Resort Joins Ascend CollectionWednesday the 9th, 2019
Located at 245 S. Wildwood Drive within the Ozark Mountains, Thousand Hills Golf Resort is just blocks from Branson's Country Music Highway 76, which features dozens of live-performance theaters, over 100 restaurants and many other family-friendly attractions. -
Will 2019 Be Another Record Year for Montenegro's Booming Tourism Industry?Monday the 7th, 2019
Figures released in July pointed to 2019 being another boom year for the industry, with tourist arrivals during the first six months 20% higher than the same period last year. Hoteliers have continued to report exceptionally high occupancy during the remainder of the summer, particularly in... -
7 of the Quirkiest Hotels You Want To Stay On Your Next TripMonday the 10th, 2019
Depending on the type of traveler you are, sometimes a hotel is just a place to rest after a long day of exploring the surroundings of your destination. For others, the right hotel is part of what makes the travel experience an interesting one. We have found some of the quirkiest hotels around... -
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Features Underwater WeddingsMonday the 13th, 2019
Make a statement with an underwater wedding. Your altar is a coral bed, your rings presented in a white shell. Exchange vows with a dive-certified minister your witness, each moment captured by a underwater photographer. -
Business Travel Surges in MallorcaTuesday the 12th, 2019
Palma Convention Centre managed by Meliá Hotels International presented its Activity Report for 2018 today, its first full year of operation after opening in April 2017. Over the year , the Convention Centre and Meliá Palma Bay Hotel hosted 226 events with 76,678 attendees,... -
Saint Lucia Records over 1.2 Million Visitors In 2018Wednesday the 23rd, 2019
Saint Lucia has recorded its best performance ever in visitor arrivals, as it welcomed 1,218,294 visitors in 2018. That number represents a 10.2% increase over 2017, which was also a record-setting year for the island. -
2019 Go-To List: Top Destinations To Visit In The Coming YearThursday the 27th, 2018
From Namibia to Tahiti, Australia to Italy, we have found some of the most talked about places that people will be traveling to in 2019. -
Mexico and New York Are Top Holiday Destinations for U.S. Air TravelersMonday the 17th, 2018
ARC Data Also Shows Travel Increased to Many European Destinations -
This Christmas, Italy Luxury Tours Offers an Exclusive Deal of Verona and Lake Garda Luxury TourWednesday the 12th, 2018
If you're planning to celebrate Christmas in Italy, Italy Luxury Tours is offering the best way to spend the most awaited holiday alongside Verona and Lake Garda. They are back with a great deal of 7 nights/8 days classical tour to Verona and Lake Garda. -
Can the World Be Saved from Overtourism? - CNNThursday the 4th, 2018
Every week seems to bring new confirmation we've officially entered the era of too much tourism. There's been sand pilfering in Sardinia and Venice visitors threatened with fines for sitting down.