It is no surprise to learn that Chinese gamblers have money to burn. Even so, the 58 per cent increase in casino revenue in Macao last year to a record 188.34 billion patacas ($23.51 billion) is startling.

Gaming entrepreneurs led by billionaire Stanley Ho, who have poured money into their Las Vegas-style properties, will be reaping the rewards – and completing another round of investments.As China Daily reports on Tuesday, December gambling revenue jumped 66.4 percent to a record monthly high of 18.883 billion patacas, the Macao Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said on its website.

In recent years, the once-sleepy southern Chinese city has metamorphosed into the world’s largest gambling hub, with the latest numbers pushing it even further ahead of rival Las Vegas, says the Chinese state-run newspaper.