Back in September, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) CEO Steve Wynn was spending two hours each day on Chinese lessons. This is a man who, at the age of 64, is worth $2.6 billion.

Yet he's learning new tricks.

Why? Because the Wynn Macau -- Mr. Wynn's latest mega-casino -- was getting set to open just off the coast of China. That's right on the doorstep of some 3 billion potential customers.

Big bets for big paydays
And how has the Wynn Macau fared in its first quarter of operation? Recent analyst estimates have the casino pulling down nearly $50 million in EBITDA over the past three months, with Bear Stearns calling that number a catalyst that led it to raise its 2007 price target.

But Steve Wynn isn't the only billionaire going gaga over foreign markets. Wynn rival and Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) CEO Sheldon Adelson, himself worth $20.5 billion, is making a similar investment in Macau's potential.

Entrepreneurs and investors alike
Then there are the master investors who have been buying up Chinese stocks at a rapid clip. Ruane Cunniff now has a greater than $10 million stake in TOM Online (NASDAQ:TOMO). Legg Mason's Bill Miller has stakes in a number of small Chinese concerns, including Sina (NASDAQ:SINA) and NetEase (NASDAQ:NTES).

And George Soros recently picked up nearly half a million shares of Chinese search engine Baidu.com (NASDAQ:BIDU) even after Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) sold out to go its own way in China.

Even Warren Buffett stoked the international frenzy earlier in '06, when he picked up 80% ownership of Israel's Iscar Metalworking.

The question we have to ask
So -- and you had to know I was coming around to this -- what have you been adding to your portfolio lately?

Me? I know I'm underexposed to international stocks, and I've resolved to make 2007 the year I do something about that. One place I'm set to start is at our new Global Gains international investing service. You can join me free for 30 days by clicking right here. And wouldn't you know it? One of the recent recommendations is a Taiwanese Internet gaming play. Great minds certainly do think alike.

Tim Hanson owns shares of Wynn Resorts. Sina and TOM Online are Stock Advisor picks. NetEase and Baidu.com are Rule Breakers picks. Legg Mason is an Inside Value choice. No Fool is too cool for disclosure.