HONG KONG: Asia’s booming gambling resorts in Macau and beyond could surpass the United States in casino gaming revenue by 2012, according to a survey released Tuesday.

Macau’s booming resorts, along with casinos being built in Singapore and mulled in other countries, could drive the growth. Of the 23 industry executives, analysts and academics polled, more than 80 percent said Asia’s dominance was very likely or likely.

"The results ... foretell a remarkable future for the Asian gaming market," said Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, which conducted the survey. "There is no doubt this is an exciting time in Asia for the gaming industry."

American casinos raked in US$34.1 billion (€22.0 billion) in 2007, according to the association. Asia’s take was estimated between US$15 billion (€10 billion) and US$20 billion (€13 billion), it said.

The report was released ahead of a regional gambling conference in Macau. The Global Gaming Expo Asia runs through Thursday.

Source:http://www.casinonews.org/