Table Games or Slots? Competition, Evolution and Game Preference in Macao's Casino Market

The opening of Macao's casino industry with new legislation passed by the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) in February 2002 has provided the opportunity for new foreign casino operators - Wynn Resorts (Macao) Limited, Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Casino Company Limited (Hong Kong), MGM Mirage, Melco Crown, and potentially others - to launch casino operations in this territory. One of the strategic decisions that new participants in this market must make is the composition of table games and slot machine offerings, as well as the mix of gaming and non-gaming amenities, to be employed in their new casino properties. The evaluation of the characteristics of, and prospects for table games and slots in the emerging gaming market of Macao is also of considerable interest to the casino operations of SJM - a wholly-owned subsidiary of the previous casino monopoly STDM, and its joint venture properties.