Recreating Macau in the Image of Las Vegas
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welcomed for their tax revenue (Fei 259). It also set Macau on the path to
become the foremost gambling venue in Asia.
The first casino franchise in Macau was granted to Tai Xing Company
in 1937, but due to poor management, it did not prosper. In 1962 the
government granted Stanley Ho’s Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau
(STDM) a monopoly on the full range of gambling—casino, horse racing, and
greyhound racing. Ho turned Macau into a mecca for high rollers and other
serious players. Ho’s exclusive license ended in 2001 and the SAR
administration opened up the gaming market to international competition
(Asiaweek).
Both Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson, moguls of Las Vegas, were
successful bidders for two of the three new casino licenses. At the time of
writing, even though only Adelson’s Sands Macau has been opened, Macau is
not the same place it once was. While many of the changes that are occurring in
Macau today predated the American involvement, it is also obvious that they are
prompted by the anticipation of what the American casinos will bring.
The remainder of this paper will examine the following: first, the
growth that Macau is now undergoing; second, observations comparing Macau
with Las Vegas; and third, some insights that the development of Macau provide
for understanding the process of cultural globalization.
A Sleepy Town’s Dramatic Growth
The first and most obvious indication of growth in Macau is
construction, both construction in progress and recently completed. Macau is
located approximately 43 miles southwest of Hong Kong. The population of the
territory is only 476,000 people. Most of these people live in the city of Macau
on a narrow peninsula that is linked by road to the mainland of China. Two
islands, Taipa and Coloane, are connected to the peninsula by bridges. The
entire territory of Macau, including the peninsula, the two islands, and a
reclaimed area, covers less than 17 square miles (Macau Government Tourism
Office).
A $16 billion-plus construction boom is underway in this small city and
the two adjoining islands (The Australian). Roads are being expanded and
upgraded throughout the city. A modem new bridge, the Amizade, was
completed in early 2005, joining the old Governor Nobre de Cavalho Bridge in
connecting Macau to Taipa. The Macau Tower and adjoining Convention Center
was completed in late 2001. The Tower stands 732 feet, and has a strong
resemblance to the 1,150 foot Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. An
entertainment and theme park called Fisherman’s Wharf is under construction
near the Macau ferry terminal. It is a $170 million project that features a 100
foot high volcano and facades of different periods of European architecture (e.g.,
Roman Coliseum, the leaning Tower of Pisa, traditional Portuguese restaurants,
etc.). The downtown and harbor areas are dominated by new office buildings,
upscale boutiques, hotels, and casinos, some recently completed and others
under construction. Much more construction is in the planning stages, including