A recent survey conducted by the American Gaming Association indicates that Asia's thriving gambling resorts in Macau and beyond could surpass the United States in casino gaming revenue by 2012.

It looks like Macau's highly popular resorts, combined  with casinos being built in Singapore and considered in other countries, will drive the growth. Of the 23 industry executives, analysts and academics polled, more than 80 percent said Asia's dominance was likely or more than likely.

"The results ... foretell a remarkable future for the Asian gaming market," said Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. "There is no doubt this is an exciting time in Asia for the gaming industry."

American casinos raked in US$34.1 billion (€22.0 billion) in 2007, according to the association. Asia's take was estimated between US$15 billion (€10 billion) and US$20 billion (€13 billion), it said.

The report was released ahead of a regional gambling conference in Macau. The Global Gaming Expo Asia runs through Thursday.

Among other findings, a majority of those surveyed expect Macau to remain Asia's market leader. The southern Chinese gambling enclave saw revenues grow at an annualized rate of 41 percent between 2005 and 2007.

Last year, Macau casinos took in US$10.3 billion, according to the government. In 2006, the former Portuguese colony surpassed the Las Vegas Strip as the world's top gambling center.