The gaming industry began to thrive in the late nineteenth century, and gaming taxes became the government's primary source of revenue. By the 1850s, Macao had over 200 'Fan tan' stalls in operation. In an effort to replenish its depleted coffers and diversify its main economic pursuits, the Macao Portuguese government legalized gambling for the first time in 1847. After Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred to the British in 1842, Hong Kong gradually surpassed Macao as an important trading port. The gambling stalls were dispersed throughout the streets and lanes and were run by the bankers themselves because there was no gaming regulation in place. At the time, domestic helpers, harbor coolies, and expatriate Chinese construction workers all enjoyed playing video games. The first time Macao opened its harbor to tourists was in the sixteenth century, which is when the Macao casino business initially emerged. THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY IN MACAO This article will give a chronological summary of the growth of the Macao gaming sector. The governments of the People's Republic of China and Macao Special Administrative Region, as well as the entrepreneurs' substantial investments and Chinese consumers' preference for gaming, are largely responsible for the gaming industry's success in Macao. Macao has recently become the greatest casino city in the world, with total gaming revenues periodically surpassing those of the Las Vegas Strip. According to estimates, more than 70% of the Macao Special Administrative Region's total fiscal revenue in 2009 came from gambling taxes. With more than three centuries of casino history, Macao was known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient' and the 'Las Vegas of the East.' The core industry of Macao today is gaming.

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