Viva Las Macau baby!

Macau, a small cluster of territory used for administrative purposes in China, has overtaken Las Vegas in terms of gambling income, according to the BBC.

Figures from leisure industry consultants Globalysis, show that Macau has taken $6.8 billion (£3.6 billion) in gambling profits in 2006.

Las Vegas fell short and only managed to raise $6.6 billion (£3.4 billion), which has surprised many considering Vegas' reputation as the gambling capital of the world.

Macau has seen huge investment in recent years as tourists have flocked to the tiny region, with 10.5 million visitors from China alone.

The region's 23rd casino, called Star World, is due to open soon and Macau claims to have the only potential underwater casino project, titled City of Dreams.

It seems likely that regional competition will emerge in the coming years, with Singapore relaxing its gambling laws.

However, investment continues to build Macau into a tourist epicentre of reckless abandon, something that you wouldn't normally associate with the region.

Fear and Loathing in Macau anyone?