The Gambling Industry is a Reason to Rejoice for Macau Residents

Chinese gambling law may seem strange to many, but the fact that it’s effective cannot be denied by anyone. Basically, gambling is banned in China everywhere but in the Special Administrative Region of Macau. 

Macau is a massive gambling center, comparable to, if not bigger than Las Vegas. This amazing city continues to develop as a gambling center every year, despite the fact that it’s already well established. It is the most common gambling destination in the eastern hemisphere. 

Anywhere else in China, the only form of gambling that isn’t forbidden is the national lottery. Land based and online casinos in China haven’t been around since the late 1940’s when the current government came into power. Though the government frowns upon it, both horseracing and internet gambling in China are very popular. 

Not everyone residing in Macau is a fan of the gambling industry. In order to keep everyone happy, the government goes to great lengths to make sure that everyone in the region sees the benefits, not just those who gamble. 

In order to do this, the Macau government has come up with a genius plan. Because the gambling industry makes such an amazing amount of extra revenue, the government can afford to cut all of the region’s residents a slice of the pie. 

Through the government’s “wealth share” handout program, residents were given a total of $625 in 2008. Due to the industry’s continuous growth, that amount was raised to $750 over the last year. This extra boost is enough to keep most of the residents content. If Macau continues to expand, as is planned, it will be interesting to see how much more these checks will grow. Good luck to Macau this 2010!