Asian casinos woo Chinese as corruption drive hits Macao
At the oceanfront Ramada Plaza hotel on South Korea's Jeju island, about a hundred Chinese gamblers huddle around felt-topped tables, wagering as much as 5 million won ($4,500) at baccarat. Shouts in Mandarin - "Beautiful!", "Good!" - ring out as gamblers with winning hands slam their cards on the green table-tops.
Asian casino operators from South Korea to Australia are pulling in the Chinese mainland's gamblers as Beijing's corruption crackdown scares many away from Macao, the world's biggest gambling hub. They are capitalizing on a downturn in the city's gaming industry, which last month suffered its worst drop ever.
Operators such as Paradise Co in South Korea are hiring Mandarin-speaking staff and offering VIP treatment including free flights, limousines and hotel stays to big spenders. Echo Entertainment Group Ltd of Sydney and NagaCorp Ltd in Cambodia cater to the junket operators who organize trips for Chinese gamblers with perks such as higher commissions, lower taxes and private jets.
