Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Too big to be bad? Implications for theory and review of research on crimes, vices, and misdeeds in the casino culture of Macau

  • Published:
Crime, Law and Social Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This is a review article of research published in English and Chinese that focuses specifically on casino-related crime in Macau, the largest venue for legalized gambling in the world. It suggests rich possibilities for further research and theoretical thinking into the globally relevant, yet locally specific features of this Special Administrative Region of China. Following studies that identify residents’ perceptions of how their once-quiet enclave has changed under the impact of recent phenomenal growth in the casino industry, it includes discussion, not just of crimes, but of a range of undesirable roles, acts and outcomes currently supported and encouraged by Macau’s casino culture and its position in relation to mainland China. A structural tension is identified between gambling as the main source of government revenue and the need to control and enforce regulation of unsavory acts and their consequences, both legal and illegal. It presents a typology of socially defined roles and processes within this environment that permit such activities to continue even across, and sometimes because of, the borders of different governmental jurisdictions. It suggests that a theoretical approach that gives broad attention to social harm rather than specific, legally defined casino-related crimes may be the most appropriate way to study negative social impacts in this and other communities dominated by casino-related economies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Albanese, J. S. (1999). Casino gambling and white collar crime: An examination of the empirical evidence. American Gaming Association.

  2. Albanese, J. S. (2008). White collar crimes and casino gambling: looking for empirical links to forgery, embezzlement, and fraud. Crime, Law and Social Change, 49, 333–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chang, S. (1996). Impact of casinos on crime: the case of Biloxi, Mississippi. Journal of Criminal Justice, 24, 431–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen, C. (2008). 澳門青少年對賭博的態度與行為: 四個犯罪學理論的驗證研究 [Youth’s Attitudes and Behavior towards Gambling in Macao: An Examination of Four Criminological Theories]. M.A. thesis, Institute of Criminology, National Taipei University.

  5. Chen, M. K. (2010). 超越夏灣拿化現象: 澳門博彩業之社會影響及過度發展危機 [Beyond the Havana phenomenon: The social impact and the excessive development crisis of the Macau gambling industry]. In K. F. B. Leong & S. H. S. Lo (Eds.), 中國澳門特別行政區博彩業與社會發展 [Casino Industry and its impact on social development of China’s Macau] (pp. 70–76). Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Press.

  6. Cheng, T. J. (2011). The sociology of gambling in China. Social Sciences Academic Press (China) and Paths International (U.K.).

  7. Clayton, C. H. (2009). Sovereignty at the edge: Macau & the question of Chineseness. Cambridge: Harvard University Asia Center.

    Google Scholar 

  8. de Pina-Cabral, J. (2002). Between China and Europe: Person, culture and emotion in Macao. London and New York: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  9. de Pina-Cabral, J. (2005). New age warriors: negotiating the handover on the streets of Macao. Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies, 5(1), 9–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. du Cros, H. (2009). Emerging issues for cultural tourism in Macau. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 38(1), 73–99.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fong, D. K. C., Fong, H. C., & Li, S. Z. (2011). The cost of gambling in Macao: before and after the liberalisation of the gaming industry. International Gambling Studies, 11(01), 43–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Friedrichs, D. O., & Schwartz, M. D. (2007). Editors’ introduction: on social harm and a twenty-first century criminology. Crime, Law & Social Change, 48(1/2), 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Grinols, E. L., & Mustard, D. B. (2006). Casinos, crime and community costs. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 88(1), 28–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Guo Z. (2006). 澳門博彩高利貸犯罪問題研究 [Research on Gambling Usury Crime in Macau]. MA Thesis, Taiwan: Huaqiao University.

  15. Hao, Z. (2011). Macau history and society. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hillyard, P., Pantazis, C., Tombs, S., & Gordon, D. (Eds.). (2004). Beyond criminology: Taking Harm seriously. London: Pluto Press.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hillyard, P., & Tombs, S. (2007). From ‘crime’ to social harm? Crime, Law & Social Change, 48(1/2), 9–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kingma, S. F. (Ed.). (2010). Global gambling: Cultural perspectives on gambling. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kong, W. H., & Wan, Y. K. P. (2011). Impacts of casino gaming on small tourism ventures in Macao. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 16(5), 573–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kuan, C. C. A. (2013). A Study of the relationship between gaming industry and organized crime in Macau. M.A. thesis: University of Macau.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kwan, F. V. C. (2004). Gambling attitudes and gambling behavior of residents of Macao: the Monte Carlo of the orient. Journal of Travel Research, 42, 271–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lages, A. (2013). Hardcore pawn, Macau Business, October, 108.

  23. Lam, D. (2005). Slot or table? A Chinese perspective…”. UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, 9(2), 69–72.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lam, D. (2010). Managing ills in Macau’s VIP and mass gaming market. Casino Enterprise Management, June.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Leong, A. V. M. (2002). The bate-ficha business and triads in Macau casinos. The Queensland University of Technology Law & Justice Journal, 2(1), 83–97.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Leong, A. V. M. (2004). Macau casinos and organised crime. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 7(4), 298–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Leong, V. M. (2001). Macau, crime and the casino state, M.A. thesis, University of Hong Kong.

  28. Li, S. D. (2013). 澳門的犯罪問題以及博彩與犯罪的關係 [Crime problems and their relations to gambling in Macau]. Journal of Macau Studies, 1, 127–137.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Li, S. D. (2014). Crime and gambling in Macao. In L. Cao, Y. S. Ivan, & B. Hebenton (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of Chinese criminology (pp. 309–324). London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Liu, P. (2002). 澳門博彩業縱橫 [Dissection of Macao’s casino industry]. Hong Kong: Sanlian Press.

  31. Lo, S. H. (2005). Casino politics, organized crime and the post-colonial state in Macau. Journal of Contemporary China, 14(43), 207–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lo, S. (2009). Casino capitalism and its legitimacy on the politico-administrative state in Macau. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 38(1), 19–47.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lo, S. (2009). The politics of cross-border crime in greater China: Case studies of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lo S.H.S. (2010) 發展型政體、賭博業資本主義與澳門的犯罪問題 [Developmental regime, casino capitalism and the crime problem in Macau] In K.F.B. Leong and S.H.S. Lo (2010). 中國澳門特別行政區博彩業與社會發展 [Casino Industry and its impact on social development of China’s Macau SAR] (pp. 70–76). Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Press.

  35. Macau Daily Times. (2015, September 17). Junket fraud case may amount to at least HK$330 million. p. 3.

  36. Matthews, R. A., & Kauzlarich, D. (2007). State crimes and state harms: a tale of two definitional frameworks. Crime, Law & Social Change, 48(1/2), 43–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Maxwell, K. (1999/2000). The shadow land. World Policy Journal, 16(4), 73–95.

  38. Miu, C., & Bing, C. M. (2004). Cultural significance: The identity of Macao. In D. Lung (Ed.), The conservation of urban heritage: Macao vision (pp. 53–70). Macao: Cultural Institute of Macao, Macao SAR Government.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Nichols, M., Stitt, B. G., & Giacopassi, D. (2002). Community assessment on the effects of casinos on quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 57, 229–262.

  40. Park, M., & Stokowski, P. A. (2011). Casino gaming and crime: comparisons among gaming countries and other tourism places. Journal of Travel Research, 50, 289–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Pemberton, S. (2007). Social harm future(s): exploring the potential of the social harm approach. Crime, Law & Social Change, 48(1/2), 27–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Pontell, H. N., & Geis, G. (2008). Religion and the psychology of gambling in China and the U.S. In M. J. Esposito (Ed.), The psychology of gambling (pp. 1–14). Hauppauge: Nova.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Pontell, H. N., Fang Q., Geis, G., Wang, C (trans.) (2013). 博彩業與犯罪:中國在澳門的期待與風險 [Casino Industry and Crimes: China’s Expectations and Risks in Macau]. Journal of Macau Studies, 1, 118–126.

  44. Pontell, H. N., Quan, F., & Geis, G. (2014). Economic crime and casinos: China’s wager on Macau. Asian Journal of Criminology, 9, 1–13. doi:10.1007/s11417-013-9168-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Porter, J. (1993). The transformation of Macau. Pacific Affairs, 66(1), 7–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Siu, R. C. S. (2006). Evolution of Macao’s casino industry from monopoly to oligopoly: social and economic reconsideration. Journal of Economics, 40(4), 967–990.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Skolnick, J. H. (1978). House of cards: Legalization and control of casino gambling. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Stitt, B. G., Nichols, M., & Giacopassi, D. (2003). Does the presence of casinos increase crime? An examination of casino and control communities. Crime and Delinquency, 49, 253–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Varese, F. (2011). Mafias on the move: How organized crime conquers new territories. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  50. Vong, F. (2009). Changes in residents’ gambling attitudes and perceived impacts at the fifth anniversary of Macao’s gaming deregulation. Journal of Travel Research, 47, 388–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Vong, F. (2008). Influence of personal factors on Macau residents’ gaming impact perceptions. UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, 12(1 & 2), 15–28.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Vong, C. K. F. (2004). Gambling attitudes and gambling behavior of residents of Macao: the Monte Carlo of the orient. Journal of Travel Research, 42, 271–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Vong, C. K. F., & McCartney, G. (2005). Mapping resident perceptions of gaming impact. Journal of Travel Research, 44, 177–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Wan, Y. K. P. (2012). The social, economic and environmental impacts of casino gaming in Macao: the community leader perspective. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(5), 737–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Wang, C. (2013). 澳門博彩法律制度 [Macau gambling law]. Beijing: People’s Press.

  56. Wang, W. (2005). 賭權開放的制度反思 [Reconsiderations of gambling right’s opening system]. Macau: Macau Polytechnic Institute Press.

  57. Wang, W. (2007). 澳門高利貸的陷阱 [The usurious trap in Macau]. South China Finance, 12(376), 43–46.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Wang, W. (2008). 賭場洗錢問題探討 [Discussion of casino money laundering]. Journal of Financial Research, 2(332), 42–50.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wang, W., & Zabielskis, P. (2010). Making friends, making money: Macao’s traditional VIP casino system. In S. F. Kingma (Ed.), Global gambling: Cultural perspectives on gambling (pp. 113--143). London: Routledge.

  60. Wheeler, S. A., Round, D. K., Sarre, R., & O’Neil, M. (2008). The influence of gaming expenditure on crime rates in south Australia: a local area empirical investigation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Yu, X. (2008). Growth and degradation in the orient’s ‘Las Vegas’: issues of environment in Macau. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 65(5), 667–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Zabielskis, P. (2008). Towards a moral ecology of the city: a new form of place-based identity and social action in Penang, Malaysia. International Development Planning Review, 30(3), 267–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Zabielskis, P. (2014). Environmental problems in China: issues and prospects. In Z. Hao & S. Chen (Eds.), Social issues in China: Gender, ethnicity, labor, and the environment (pp. 257–280). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  64. Zabielskis, P. (2014). Faith and property: Pressures of development and change on the Kwan Tai - Tin Hau temple in Cheok Ka Chun, Taipa, Macau. In C. X. G. Wei (Ed.), Macao: The Formation of a Global City (pp. 3–31). London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Zhao, R. (2014). Official responses to crime in Macao. In L. Cao, Y. S. Ivan, & B. Hebenton (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of Chinese criminology (pp. 325–341). London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Zhao, R., & Liu, J. (2011). A system’s approach to crime prevention: the case of Macao. Asian Journal of Criminology, 6, 207–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida Universidade, Taipa, MACAU, SAR

    Peter Zabielskis

Authors
  1. Peter Zabielskis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Zabielskis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zabielskis, P. Too big to be bad? Implications for theory and review of research on crimes, vices, and misdeeds in the casino culture of Macau. Crime Law Soc Change 64, 127–152 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-015-9586-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-015-9586-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation