China has the biggest casino industry in the world

Did you know that Macau, the old Portuguese colony off the coast of Hong Kong, has become wealthier than the whole of Nevada due to the casino entertainment business?! Next year it expects to benefit from relaxed visa rules for mainland Chinese so stocks have soared whilst the Hong Hong stock exchange has seen turbulence.

Ironically, the boom is because the Nevada brands that we know and love (think Wynn, and the world's largest casino from The Venetian...) have invested in Macau after it was handed back to China in 1997 after 400 years of Portuguese rule. Although Macau is part of China now, not all the money goes into Chinese pockets as it still operates under "one country, two systems." But still, China is one of the hottest gambling destinations on earth. Wow!

When I was younger, Macau was already a gambling (and all that goes with that) haven because, apart from the prestigous Hong Kong Jockey, there was nowhere legal to have a bet. Folks were even betting illegally on things like video games in the 80s?!

Lighthearted Here's a little amusing story about MC Barry from Liverpool. He's a cabaret singer in Macau who is a novelty because he sings in Mandarin! That's heart!