Asian Casinos: How Asia Became the World’s Biggest Gambling Region
A guide to Asia's main casino markets, from Macau and Singapore to Japan's first resort, plus the rules for local players
Why Asia Matters in the Gambling World
When people think of casinos, Las Vegas often comes to mind first. However, the biggest gambling market on the planet is in Asia. Macau alone takes far more casino revenue than the Las Vegas Strip.
Asia is a huge continent, and its gambling rules vary a lot. Some countries welcome casino resorts with open arms. Others ban gambling completely, or only let tourists play. As a result, casinos tend to cluster in a handful of places, mainly in East and Southeast Asia.
This guide looks at where Asia’s big casinos are, how each market works and which games are most popular. We also explain the rules for locals, since these differ from country to country.
Asia’s Main Casino Markets at a Glance
| Market | Can locals play? | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Macau | Yes | The world’s largest casino market by revenue |
| Singapore | Yes, but they pay an entry levy | Two integrated resorts, with free entry for tourists |
| Philippines | Yes | Big resorts in Manila, but offshore gaming firms are banned |
| South Korea | Only at Kangwon Land | Every other casino is for foreigners only |
| Japan | Not yet | The first casino resort is due to open in Osaka in 2030 |
| Mainland China | No | Casino gambling is banned, apart from state-run lotteries |
A Long History of Games
Gambling in Asia goes back thousands of years. Many games still played today have Chinese roots. For example, fan-tan, pai gow and sic bo all started in China, and mahjong is played across the region.
Card and dice games spread along old trade routes. Later, Western games such as roulette and blackjack arrived with European traders and colonial powers. Today, Asian casinos offer a mix of both, although one card game rules above all others. We’ll come to that further down.
Macau: The World’s Biggest Gambling Hub
Macau is a small region on China’s south coast. It was run by Portugal for centuries and returned to China in 1999. Today, it is a Special Administrative Region with its own laws, including its own gambling rules.
The Portuguese government legalised gambling in Macau in 1847 to raise money. For much of the 20th century, a single company held the right to run casinos. That monopoly ended in 2002, when Macau opened its market to competition. Soon after, big names from Las Vegas moved in and built huge resorts.
How Big Is Macau?
The numbers are enormous. According to Macau’s casino regulator, casino gross gaming revenue reached MOP247.4 billion in 2025. That’s about US$30.9 billion, and the highest total since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
That figure is still below the pre-pandemic peak. Even so, Macau earns several times more than the Las Vegas Strip each year. The Strip’s gaming win in 2025 was only slightly up on 2024, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Macau takes billions of dollars more from casino games each year than the Las Vegas Strip. It has held the title of the world’s biggest gambling hub for well over a decade.
New Rules for a New Era
Macau’s gaming licences came up for renewal in 2022. After a public tender, six operators received new 10-year concessions starting on 1 January 2023. These operators are SJM, Galaxy, Sands China, Wynn Macau, MGM China and Melco.
The new deals came with tougher rules. For instance, operators must invest in non-gaming attractions such as shows, conventions and family entertainment. In addition, smaller “satellite” casinos run by third parties faced a deadline. They had until 31 December 2025 to close or come under an operator’s direct control. Many of them shut their doors.
Famous Macau Resorts
Macau is home to some of the largest casino resorts in the world. The Venetian Macao on the Cotai Strip is the best known, with Venice-style canals and a vast gaming floor. City of Dreams, Galaxy Macau and Wynn Palace are other big names that draw visitors from across Asia.
Singapore: Two Resorts, Strict Rules
Singapore has just two casinos. Both sit inside large integrated resorts: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. They opened in 2010 and quickly became major tourist attractions.
Singapore is careful about local gambling. Tourists can enter the casinos for free. However, citizens and permanent residents must buy an entry levy. It costs S$150 for a day, or S$3,000 for a year. The government says the levy aims to stop casual and impulse gambling by locals.
Other safeguards are in place too. For example, families can apply to limit or block a relative’s casino visits. Everyone must also be at least 21 to enter.
Philippines: Big Resorts and a Crackdown
The Philippines has a busy casino scene, led by Entertainment City in Manila. Resorts such as Okada Manila, City of Dreams Manila and Solaire draw both locals and visitors. The state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) regulates the industry.
The country also made headlines for a major crackdown. For years, it licensed offshore gaming operators, known as POGOs, which served players outside the Philippines. Many became linked to scams, money laundering and human trafficking.
In July 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a total ban on POGOs. He ordered PAGCOR to wind down their operations by the end of 2024. Since then, officials have focused on shutting down illegal hubs and pursuing cases against former operators.
South Korea: Mostly for Foreigners
South Korea has a set of casinos, but most of them are closed to its own citizens. Kangwon Land, in a mountain area of Gangwon Province, is the only casino where South Koreans can legally gamble. All the others are for foreign visitors only.
The newest is Inspire Entertainment Resort near Incheon International Airport. It received the country’s first new casino licence since 2005, and its foreigners-only casino opened in early 2024. The resort also has hotels, a large concert arena and an indoor water park.
Paradise City, also near Incheon, is another well-known foreigners-only resort. In addition, the holiday island of Jeju has several casinos aimed at tourists.
Japan: The First Casino Is on the Way
For decades, Japan had no casinos at all. Instead, locals played pachinko, a pinball-style game, and bet on public sports such as horse racing. In 2018, Japan passed a law allowing up to three integrated resorts with casinos.
So far, only one project has been approved. MGM Osaka, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation, started construction in April 2025. It is being built on Yumeshima, the man-made island that hosted Expo 2025. The resort is due to open in autumn 2030 and will be Japan’s first casino.
Other Notable Casino Destinations
Several other countries in the region have well-known casino resorts. Here are a few of the most talked about:
- Resorts World Genting, Malaysia: A large hilltop resort in the Genting Highlands, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.
- Cambodia: Casinos cluster in border towns such as Poipet, including Star Vegas, as well as in the capital, Phnom Penh.
- Vietnam: A small number of resort casinos operate, mainly for foreign guests.
Popular Casino Games in Asia
If you walk onto a casino floor in Macau, one game stands out straight away. Baccarat is by far the most popular table game in the region. It’s simple to follow, fast to play and has deep cultural appeal among Chinese players.
Other favourites include:
- Sic bo: A dice game where players bet on the result of three dice.
- Fan-tan: An old Chinese game based on counting beads or buttons.
- Pai gow and pai gow poker: Games played with Chinese dominoes or cards.
- Blackjack and roulette: Western classics that are popular with visitors.
- Slot machines: Increasingly common, especially with local mass-market players.
Online, many of these games are also available with real dealers. Our guide to live dealer casino games explains how they work. Studios such as Evolution offer several versions of live baccarat, including speedy and themed tables.
Where Gambling Is Restricted
Asia has some of the world’s strictest gambling laws. It’s important to know them before you play, especially online.
Mainland China bans casino gambling, although it runs state lotteries. In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is the only legal betting operator. It runs horse racing, football betting and the Mark Six lottery. Casinos are not allowed there.
India has also tightened its rules. Its Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, bans online real-money games. Elsewhere, many countries in the region allow casinos only for tourists, or not at all.
Because the rules change often, always check the law where you live. Our overview of global gambling regulations is a good starting point.
Asia isn’t the only region worth watching. Africa is growing quickly too. Our article on real money gaming in Nigeria looks at how one of its biggest online markets has developed.
What About Online Gambling in Asia?
Online gambling in Asia is a grey area in many places. Most countries don’t license online casinos for their own residents. As a result, many players end up at offshore sites, which may offer little protection if something goes wrong.
If online play is legal where you live, choose a properly licensed casino. Check who runs it, read the bonus terms and test a small withdrawal early. Our list of the top 20 online casinos shows sites we’ve reviewed. Always set a budget and treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Macau or Las Vegas?
Macau is bigger by casino revenue. In 2025, its casinos earned about US$30.9 billion, which is several times more than the Las Vegas Strip.
Can Singapore citizens gamble at the casinos?
Yes, but they must pay an entry levy. It costs S$150 for a day or S$3,000 for a year. Tourists can enter for free.
Does Japan have casinos?
Not yet. Japan’s first casino resort, MGM Osaka, is under construction and due to open in autumn 2030.
Can South Koreans gamble in their own country?
Only at Kangwon Land. All of South Korea’s other casinos are open to foreigners only.
What is the most popular casino game in Asia?
Baccarat is the clear favourite, especially in Macau. Sic bo, fan-tan and pai gow are also popular.
Is gambling legal in China?
Casino gambling is banned in mainland China, apart from state lotteries. Macau is the only part of China where casinos are legal.
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