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Casino capitalism in the era of COVID-19: examining Macau’s pandemic response

Author

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  • Lou, Loretta

Abstract

Purpose This purpose of this paper is to explain Macau’s successful pandemic response through an analysis of its social, political and economic landscapes. In particular, it focusses on the economic relief brought by casino capitalism in this era of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach As mobility is highly restricted during the coronavirus pandemic, digital technologies have become central to ongoing social science research. Thanks to videoconferencing programmes such as Zoom, Facetime and WhatsApp, the author was able to carry out virtual interviews with 13 local people from different sectors of Macau in July 2020. In addition to in-depth interviews, the author also undertook an extensive review of the Macau government’s pandemic policies. Findings This paper argues that the Macau government’s swift and effective coronavirus policies are deeply intertwined with the urban fabric and political economy of the city’s casino capitalism, which endowed the government with surplus funds and an infrastructure that enabled the implementation of an array of strict measures that few other countries could afford to subsidise. Factors that have led to Macau’s extraordinarily low rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths include: competent leadership and the public’s high compliance with mandatory health measures; the generous benefits and financial support for citizens and businesses; and the compulsory quarantine required of all incoming travellers, who are lodged in hotel rooms left empty when casino tourists stopped coming. All of these measures have been made possible by a political economy backed by the peculiarities of casino capitalism and its resultant tax revenues. Research limitations/implications Future research could compare the case of Macau with other small but affluent economies (ideally economies that do not depend on the gambling industry) to ascertain the role of casino capitalism in building up economic resilience. Originality/value Although previous studies tend to emphasise the negative impacts of casino capitalism, this paper shows how tax revenues and infrastructure from the gambling industry can make a contribution to the host society in times of crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Lou, Loretta, 2021. "Casino capitalism in the era of COVID-19: examining Macau’s pandemic response," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 111026, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:111026
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/111026/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juin‐Jen Chang & Ching‐Chong Lai & Ping Wang, 2010. "Casino regulations and economic welfare," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(3), pages 1058-1085, August.
    2. Sonny Lo, 2009. "Casino Capitalism and Its Legitimacy Impact on the Politico-administrative State in Macau," Journal of Current Chinese Affairs - China aktuell, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 38(1), pages 19-47.
    3. Susan Erikson, 2020. "Pandemics show us what government is for," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 441-442, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    political economy; Macau; gaming industry; Covid-19; casino capitalism; pandemic response; coronavirus;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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