Macau Gambling Revenue Up 9.3 Percent

HONG KONG – (Reuters) - Macau, the world's casino capital, raked in 32.35 billion patacas (US$4.05bil) in gambling revenue in May, boosted by robust demand from Chinese visitors keen to bet in the country's only legal casino hub.

Growth in Macau, a special administrative region like neighbouring Hong Kong, was up 9.3% in May, lagging analyst estimates of 13-15%.

A Portuguese colony until 1999, Macau earns the equivalent of Las Vegas's annual haul in less than two months. Annual revenues reached a record US$45bil in 2013, elevating the tiny territory high above rival gaming destinations.