Macau's Big Score

Macau's Portuguese colonial rulers legalized the city's first gambling house in 1847. But judging by the public reaction to the May 18 opening of the flashy Sands Macau casino, you would think the Macanese had just discovered sin. Encouraged by false rumors that the Sands planned to hand out free gambling chips, hundreds of people lined up in the early-morning hours hoping to get first crack at the baccarat, poker and blackjack tables. By the time the casino was opened to the public at 3 p.m., more than 15,000 had gathered in a pulsating scrum, ready to rush the lobby. Three...