Abstract
This paper aims to evaluate the economic impact after Macao decided to liberalize its gaming industry. By analysing both objective
data of official statistics and subjective data of the perceptions of quality of life, we painted a picture of mixed blessings.
Although objective indicators showed strong economic growth in terms of a rise in per capita GDP and public revenue as well
as a decline in unemployment rate, subjective indicators revealed that local residents were less than optimistic about their
own employment outlook and did not perceive any improvement in their overall economic situation. While casino liberalization
brought forth tremendous economic gain, the general population did not subjectively feel the benefits. An integrative analysis
of both objective and subjective indicators would therefore allow us to look closer how residents’ lives in the micro-level
could have been adversely affected by the prosperous economic outlook at the macro-level.
data of official statistics and subjective data of the perceptions of quality of life, we painted a picture of mixed blessings.
Although objective indicators showed strong economic growth in terms of a rise in per capita GDP and public revenue as well
as a decline in unemployment rate, subjective indicators revealed that local residents were less than optimistic about their
own employment outlook and did not perceive any improvement in their overall economic situation. While casino liberalization
brought forth tremendous economic gain, the general population did not subjectively feel the benefits. An integrative analysis
of both objective and subjective indicators would therefore allow us to look closer how residents’ lives in the micro-level
could have been adversely affected by the prosperous economic outlook at the macro-level.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9251-3
- Authors
- Victor Zheng, Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Eva P. W. Hung, Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350