Macau is very famous for its gambling operation and activities, helped by huge profits that can be reaped as well as a legalized system. In terms of revenue generation, it has even topped the Las Vegas strip in the United States of America. However, when we think of gambling, the first picture that comes to our minds is of casinos, and poker chips. The reality is that there are many other just as important, if not more, way of gambling that are being conducted in Macau. An example of this is race horse gambling, and betting on winning horses.
The race-course ground found on the Tapia Island of Macau covers an area of more than 450,000 square meters, and is the hub of all Horse-racing gambling. Gambling of this kind majorly takes place thrice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday or Sunday. There are about 18,000 seats available in this race-course, however, only people who are over 18 years of age can participate in this activity.
A club by the name of the Macau Jockey Club has also been established in Macau in 1991. It was formerly known as the Macau Trotting Club. The name was changed when a consortium led by Stanley Ho acquired this club. The Macau Jockey Club employs over 1400 private employees as well as 1, 100–timers, which speaks volumes of the level this business is run in.
Several different ways of betting have been established in Macau. Some of these way have been given below, along with an explanation.
On-course Betting
This type of gambling involves betting terminals, which can perform, sell and pay functions. The person who places the bet, also called a punter, can bet in HongKong dollars or the local currency i.e. Macau patacas. Bets can be placed by filling in a ticket or through verbal instructions, and are accepted till only the start of the race. In Macau, there are more than 210 betting terminals “on-course”.
Off-course Betting
The only difference between this type of gambling and on-course betting is that this takes place in centers that are physically located off the race-courses. In Macau, there are more than 80 betting terminals in the Off-Course betting centers. Some of the popular ones are situated in high-end districts of Macau and the island of Taipa.
Internet betting
This system was started in September 2003. There has been a website of Macau Jockey Club established for the ease of customers.
Telephone Services
This is become a popular gambling method due to its fast results and ease for the customers. As soon as the punters win a dividend, it will be transferred to their bank accounts on their consent. In Macau, there are more than 600 telephone service terminals.
Fast Access Terminals (FAT)
This is also known the personal betting terminal. It was commenced in 1997, and offers betting,record tracking of bets, calculation of bet units, account enquiry, and other associatedfactsand figures on races like declarations. There are around 1,000 punters that are currently using the FAT system.
