Desmond Lam - Chopsticks and Gambling

Gambling is not a sin. It is but a social activity that we humans engage in. Gambling allows us to express ourselves in ways that are not always possible in our daily lives. It is an expression of our feelings, desires, and cravings for this world.

Whether is it a game of chance or skill, gambling is an act of taking a risk in return for some value., Gamblers typically derive several values out of the activity, such as entertainment, excitement, money, or social interaction. The world of gambling has come a long way. Gambling has very much been a part of human history and is performed in most parts of the world today (Raylu and Oei 2004). Evidence of humans gambling has been found from the early days of ancient civilizations in Egypt, Rome, and China. Nowadays, gambling is used interchangeably with gaming. There is an obvious reason for this as the word gambling can have a negative connotation. In this book, gaming and gambling are used interchangeably.

China has one of the worlds longest continuous civilizations, comprising provinces and cultures dating back more than 5,000 years. In 1891, Stewart Culin published an article in the New York Times in which he documented the large gambling appetite and superstitions of American Chinese laborers. In China, ancient history books and religious texts recorded the wagering of different types of games as far back as the early Chinese dynasties of Shang and Zhou. For example, in one chapter of Liezi, an ancient Daoist text written during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC), a wealthy mans love for gambling in the ancient city of Daliang is illustrated. Other records of keen Chinese gamblers engaged in wagering activities can be found throughout Chinas documented history. In the Book of Han, which covers the history of China under the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), there are numerous mentions of gambling activities such as cock fighting and hound racing. Records of gambling are also found in The Book of Song by Shen Yue (441-513), which covers the history of the Song Dynasty from 420 to 479.

Numerous ancient Chinese rulers, such as those in Yuan and Ming, saw gambling as an activity that disrupted social harmony and imposed antigambling laws and regulations. Despite these measures, gambling activities proliferated, and Chinese games evolved and multiplied over time (Basu 1991). Today, eager Chinese gamblers can be found everywhere around the world. Lottery betting is allowed in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, while casino gambling is legal in Macau and Singapore. In Hong Kong and Macau, gambling is viewed as a way of life, so participation is common (Clark, King, and Laylim 1990). Macau has now surpassed Las Vegas as the biggest gaming market in the world. Millions of Chinese gamblers pack into its modern casinos each year, with more than 25 percent of its visitors coming from the neighboring Guangdong Province (DSEC 2013). Macaus annual gross casino-gaming revenue has ballooned from USD 2.3 billion in 1997 to USD 38 billion in 2012 (DICJ 2013). Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore has opened two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa, with significant casino-gambling components.

The expansive gaming industry has also brought much harm to Chinese communities. Research over the last ten to fifteen years has revealed that Chinese people tend to have a higher level of problem gambling than those in Western countries (Tse et al. 2010). shows the rate of gambling participation (over the past twelve-month period) in Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore.

With the discovery of Chinese peoples aptitude to take high risks when wagering, many Western observers became curious about the beliefs and attitudes of these Chinese gamblers (e.g., Friess 2004). As noted by Basu (1991), few scholars attempt to investigate the enduring interest to gamble among the Chinese people. An understanding of Chinese gamblers, however, requires a holistic examination of the history, beliefs, and culture of the Chinese people. This book is thus written to provide a look at Chinese gambling from historical, cultural, psychological, and social perspectives. It should be interesting and enlightening for executives working in the gaming and gaming-related industries, students of casino and gaming management, academic and gaming researchers, and anyone who wishes to gain true insight into Chinese gambling. Ultimately, this book explores the complex attitudes and behaviors of the Chinese people. To a Chinese person who is reading this book, If you think you know, think again.

Frankly, it is hard to pinpoint exactly why the Chinese gamble. There are many reasons and yet no single explanation. Some would say that the Chinese just like it. They would say that it is in their blood. Whenever there is a reason to celebrate, gambling becomes part of the celebration. It has been an essential part of Chinese culture and history. We begin this book with a brief introduction to gambling and its common theories and concepts in .