Macau's casinos are hoping to boost profits by attracting diners, but luring gamblers away from the tables is proving an uphill battle

"The food and beverage sector used to be a peripheral activity at Macau's casinos, but with the city aiming to become a world-class tourist destination, the new casinos are striving to make dining an attraction that goes hand in hand with the gambling experience. However, they're facing an uphill battle. Las Vegas casinos may offer some of the best dining in the US, but food tourism is still a new concept in Macau. The former Portuguese colony is reputed to have the world's oldest fusion cuisine. Macanese dishes combine Portuguese ingredients with spices and cooking methods from China, India, Malaysia, Brazil and Portuguese colonies in Africa, and the plethora of restaurants offering such fare has the casinos searching for new ways to tempt punters' tastebuds."