Macao is likely to surpass Las Vegas and reap 46 to 47 billion pataca in gaming revenue this year, a heavyweight in the industry forecast yesterday.

So Shue-fai, a top executive and member of the board of the Sociedade de Jogos de Macao (SJM), told reporters the gaming industry recorded 29.8 billion pataca in revenue in the first eight months of the year, an increase of 15 per cent year-on-year.

Despite some unfavourable factors in the first half, the gaming industry has yet to experience a noticeable drop in revenue, he said.

He added that traditionally the second half is always busier than the first because there are more holidays, such as the National Day "Golden Week" for mainlanders and the Christmas-New Year peak season towards the end of the year.

For this year, there are also several big events in the second half, including the East Asian Games later this month and Macao Grand Prix in November.

All these important events are expected to attract large crowds to the enclave.

Many of them will inevitably try their luck in one of the casinos or at thousands of slot machines.

The city's gaming industry earned a total of 40 billion pataca last year, So went on, while Las Vegas recorded 45 billion pataca.

If Macao maintains its current business momentum through the remaining months, he was sure the annual earnings would top its American rival, edging Las Vegas into second place in the world.