Back then, it was a dangerous place controlled by local gangs and criminals, with casinos that were nothing like modern gambling rooms.
Nonetheless, the Macao casinos of today have little to no connection with Macao from the past. The Portuguese used the port for trading, which helped them establish the trade route between the Mediterranean and the Far East.ĭuring the Portuguese rule over Macao, the first casinos were established to produce additional income for the Portuguese royal family. At the time, the city was an undeveloped port, given over to the Portuguese by the Chinese as compensation for helping them reduce the pirate threat in the region. Macao was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries since the Portuguese conquistadors raised their flag over Macao in 1557. Of course, they were nothing like today’s luxurious and shiny casinos instead, these houses were hidden, seedy spots with even seedier hosts. Macao was a Portuguese colony when the first gambling venues started arising in this city.