From the Washington Post (link):
In years past, Raymond Wong laid his chips on the worn-out felt of the baccarat tables at the Lisboa casino, a windowless space that epitomized the seedy reputation of this gambling enclave in southern China. Cigarette smoke hovered over throngs jostling for spots at the tables. Prostitutes trawled the hallways.
But on a recent evening, Wong instead went to the glass-fronted Sands Macao casino, a landmark property erected by the Las Vegas Sands Corp., best known for its Venetian hotel in Nevada. With its seven restaurants, live cabaret acts, and private club complete with wine cellar and spa, the $265 million Sands has become an emblem for this Asian gambling haven, which is pursuing an aggressive transformation to capitalize on the growing affluence of China.
“The air is better, and the furnishings are all new,” said Wong, 55, who rides the ferry from Hong Kong once or twice a month. “This is something fresh.”
