Reaction Article #12

Macao gloomy as more layoffs hit once-booming casinos

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According to Mark McDonald in “Macao gloomy as more layoffs hit once-booming casinos,” The Venetian, Macao’s biggest gaming company, fired half of its gondoliers two weeks ago. Casino operators and gaming experts believe that the reason why casinos are mostly deserted is that China controls the visa by the new regulations. People said the layoffs are brutal and afraid that it is just a starting.

In these recent years, the gambling market is growing fast. Since Macao is the only legal place for gambling in China, it attracts lot of tourists from mainland China. They travel around, visit the heritage site and experience the life of the city. Gradually, casinos and hotels were built everywhere and tourism has become Macao’s main industry. However, the global economy crisis causes big problems. Those companies which in financial difficulty are planning to have agreement of cutting the salary with their staffs in order to cut down expenses. Besides, some massive hotel and casino construction projects stand half-finished. Many labors were laid off and sent home. The gambling Mecca is depressed and has become quiet.

As I concerned, gambling causes many social problems. More and more teenager dropped out of school to become dealers. Casinos do not require a high education degree and they offer a high salary. But, they would be weeded out soon after a few years since they are not competitive enough. What is more, gambling addiction is also a serious issue. It is a type of impulse-control disorder. It can hurt a person’s family and ruin his/her life.