MACAO

CURRENCY: Pataca (M$).

EXCHANGE RATE: M$ 7.99 = US$1.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Portuguese (with Cantonese most widely spoken; English is Macao's third language).

POPULATION: About 400,000 with 95% Chinese, 3% Portuguese and other Europeans, and 2% from other regions.

CAPITAL: Macao City.

INTERNATIONAL CODE: TELEPHONE 853.

CURRENCY CONTROLS: The local currency is the Pataca written as M$.There is no restrictions on the export and import of the local currency.

GAMING INFORMATION: Macao has eight casinos and two slot casinos with a drop of equivalent to over $2 billion.All casinos offer western and oriental games.Macao continues to upgrade and upscale it tourist attractions, resort hotels and casinos.The legal gaming age in Macao is 18 for foreigners and 21 for Macao residents.All casinos in Macao are operated by Stanley Ho who owns Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macao (STDM), 2B Avenida Almerda Riberiro.STDM also has huge interest in greyhound racing, horse racing, and lotteries.