Archive for June, 2008

Macau to Cap Number of Gaming Tables to 4,000

Francis Tam, heir apparent to Macauâ€™s chief executive, chose a festive occasion to announce a major policy decision by the government. Soon after toasting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at a British Consulate function, the secretary for finance and economy announced that the number of gaming tables in Macau will be capped at its current number

Venetian Macao Finally Appoints Managing Director

Venetian Macao Limited (VML) today announced the nomination of Dr. LuÃs Nuno Mesquita de Melo as Managing Director of the company. â€œDocuments pertaining to Dr. Meloâ€™s appointment have been filed with the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government,â€ the company said in a statement. â€œThe appointment is subject to the formal approval of the MSAR Government.â€ Dr

Title Fight in Macau Between Pacquiao and Velero is Called Off

The planned title fight between Manny Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council super featherweight champion, and World Boxing Association champion Edwin Valero in Macau is off. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed that he had a long discussion with the Venetian Macao people and the problem was that in order to make a Pacquiao fight work—which

Galaxy StarWorld to Host US$1.5 Million Asian Poker Tour Event

Elated with the success of its Manila event, the Asian Poker Tour has upped the ante and announced a US$1,500,000 guaranteed prize pool for its next event in Macau. The Asian Poker Tour Macau will be held at the StarWorld Hotel and Casino from the August 26 - 31, 2008 with the buy-in at US$5,000+$300. With the

Macao SAR Says Venetian Macao Not Operating Illegally

The Venetian Macao, a local integrated resort that houses the world's largest casino, is not operating illegally, said Tam Pak Yuen, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday. The Macao Daily Times reported on Tuesday that the casino resort, owned by Las Vegas Sands, was running its properties against

Macau Grand Prix 2008 Has New Sponsor and Race Programme

With a new title sponsor on board, Macau luxury residential development Windsor Arch, the Macau Grand Prix has announced an exciting new race programme for the 55th edition, to be held from November 13-16 this year. Topping the bill for the Windsor Arch 55th Macau Grand Prix are: The Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix,

Macau Q1 2008 Gross Domestic Product Expands by 31.6%

In the first quarter of 2008, performance of the gaming sector continued to stay vibrant, with gross gaming revenue (excluding gratuities) soaring substantially by 61.8% in nominal terms compared with the same quarter of 2007, while total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) rose slightly by 4.3%; gross fixed capital formation dropped by 17.6% upon successive

Macau Denies UNESCO Refusal to Promote Macau's World Heritage

In relation to the article released by the magazine "East Week" on 28th May stating that UNESCO has suspended all promotional activities on world heritage of Macau, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) denies any refusal of UNESCO in Paris to promote Macau's world heritage. MGTO has issued a clarification on 14th May stating that UNESCO in