Macau gaming revenue in 2012 rose 14% from a year earlier to a record 304.1 billion Macau patacas ($38.1 billion), according to Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
Growth slowed from previous years, predominantly because of a slowing Chinese economy. Macau’s gaming revenue, which has almost tripled since 2009, surged 58% in 2010 and 42% in 2011.
Macau has continued to attract investment from U.S. hotel-casino operators looking to diversify their offerings beyond Las Vegas.
In October, MGM Resorts International received approval to open its second hotel-casino in Macau. The $2.5 billion resort will include 1,600 rooms, 2,500 slot machines and 500 gaming tables. It will take about three years to build.
Las Vegas Sands last year opened the Sands Cotai Central development, which includes the world’s largest InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Conrad and Sheraton hotels.
Follow Danny King on Twitter @dktravelweekly.