Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s when the Portuguese government legalised the activity in the autonomous colony. Since then, Macau has become known worldwide as the "Gambling capital of the world". It is the only place in China where casino gambling is legal.
Macau, one of China's two special administrative regions (SARs), is an island city famous for its flourishing gambling industry. As Macau is the only place in Greater China where gambling is legal, it initially experienced explosive economic growth with the rapid expansion of its gambling sector.