The uprising of the Macao gambling market seems to have reached its climax and is now experiencing an economic slowdown on the revenue generated by casino games which has been estimated in approximately 10% in the third quarter of 2008.

The Macau Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau estimated that, between July and September, Macau’s gambling revenue dropped to 25.99bn patacas (£1.9bn; $3.2bn). These figures have led analysts to believe that pressures in the financial markets could lead to some investment projects being delayed.

But an interesting fact about this situation is that a big part of it is explained by a fall-off in the number of VIPs at baccarat tables. The revenues coming from VIP players once worth 70% of the Macau marker, but now they have dropped and represent about 66%.

In September, Macau's gaming revenue fell 3.4 per cent from a year ago and 28 per cent from the previous month. This worrying situation for the Asian Mecca of Gambling is raising speculation in the markets, and some experts see this as an opportunity for other gambling markets to emerge and take advantage of this moment.