REUTERS
HONG KONG, Jan 3 (Reuters) – Casino revenue in Macau soared 58 percent in 2010 to a record 188.34 billion patacas ($23.51 billion) year on year, bolstered by a flood of gamblers from mainland China on continued strength in the Chinese economy.
December gambling revenue jumped 66.4 percent to a record monthly high of 18.883 billion patacas, the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said on its website.
The stellar growth in revenue in 2010 contrasts with 10 percent growth in 2009 — even without the relaxation of visa restrictions on mainland Chinese visitors and a recent reminder from China’s premier Wen Jiabao for improved regulation and diversification of Macau’s economy away from gambling.