June 21, 2010 issue
Gambling not good fortune in Macau
In world's largest gaming center, church ministers amid the lure of casino culture
Mennonite Church Canada staffPage:
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MACAU — The sign of the cross advertises the Master’s Hotel, but its translation reads “good fortune,” and the hotel is known to charge service fees for “escorts.”
Faith and commitment are growing among the 35 regular attendees of Macau Mennonite Church — Photo by George Veith/MC Canada
The irony of that sign embodies the contrasts of Macau, a city-state on the Chinese coast whose lavishly displayed wealth depends on games of chance.
In the midst of this profiteering sits Macau Mennonite Church, whose leaders and members engage how best to live faithful lives within a casino culture.
Since 1999, when the Portuguese gave up colonial control, Macau has grown to become the world’s largest gaming center, with revenues surpassing those of Las Vegas.
Close to 40 casinos and a population of 500,000 squeeze into about 17 square miles. In 2009, Macau hosted 21 million visitors.
Treasure Chow, pastor of Macau Mennonite Church, calls gambling a form of greed that leads to addiction, a temptation that greatly affects the Macau church and culture.
George and Tobia Veith and Tim and Cindy Buhler, workers to Macau with Mennonite Church Canada Witness and Mennonite Mission Network, say that because gaming is Macau’s primary industry, most employment is either directly or indirectly related to it.
Casino workers, hotel and food services, shops and even city services cater to the industry. Other vices such as prostitution and loan-sharking, although less public, are also part of the gambling culture.
Growth in the gaming industry has even affected the education of Macau’s youth, as lucrative employment opportunities within the industry entice high school students to drop out. Small businesses have closed, and some city services have been disrupted as workers leave to earn higher casino wages.
Churches also are affected. Members who do not work in the gaming industry may work long hours to make ends meet and they have little time for church.
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