It certainly was even in 1968 when I first went there. The economic explosion in China created a vast market for what is their national pastime. The growth in Casinos and suchlike accelerated after the lease ran out so that with Asian and American casino enterprises it now outdoes Las Vegas.

Those who have been to Las Vegas will known that the glitter wears off very quickly.

Fareastdriver wrote:
Indeed! Last time I was there, the background rattle of quarters from innumerable fruit machines had been replaced by electronic beeping and credits. Hardly the same...

Personally I think that Matthew Broderick (David) and Ally Sheedy (Jennifer) got it right in War Games when, having hacked in to the WOPR and opted to play 'Global Thermonuclear War' as the Russians, they are asked to list their primary targets:

When I saw the thread title "Apple Safari" I thought it was a jolly to Calvados or at least a tour of Somerset.

"Don't take the p*ss out of Watneys. It's the only flavour it's got".

Or as we used to parody the Smirnoff campaign:

"I thought Puking was a city in China until I discovered Watneys."