The iconic floating casino of Macao Palace has been closed for
repairs, according to a statement issued by the management
Monday.
The statement released by local gaming tycoon Stanley Ho Hung
Sun's SJM gaming company said the vessel will soon be sent to a
port in the Chinese mainland for repairs.
The number of Macao's casinos dropped from 27 to 26 following
the closure of the Macao Palace.
Seventeen of the 26 casinos are run by Ho's SJM, five by Hong
Kong-based entertainment group Galaxy, two by Las Vegas-based
gaming giant Venetian, one by the other Las Vegas shark Wynn and
one by Australian publishing group PBL.
The number of casinos is expected to reach 29 by the end of 2007
in the city with a population of 528,000 and where some 15 percent
of its total labor force are working in the gaming sector.
(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2007)