Gambling

Posted on 19 November 2009.

The former Portuguese colony of Macau has now been under Chinese rule for ten years. Known across the world as a major gambling centre, it attracts large numbers of visitors from the Mainland.

Last year the Beijing authorities grew alarmed after a proliferation of news stories about Chinese officials illegally gambling away millions of dollars in government funds, so new rules were introduced limiting visitors to Macau from Mainland China to two trips a year. More recently, however, those restrictions have been lifted.

"We're seeing repeat customers coming back more regularly than previously," said an executive for one of six Macau casino operators (Reuters). Casino stocks have also risen, as Mainland Chinese make up about 65 percent of casino visitors.

While more well-off Chinese head to Macau to gamble, many more people get involved in gambling back home. In November, a woman described as the "godmother" of the criminal underworld in Chongqing was sentenced to 18 years in jail and fined 1.02 million yuan for crimes including running illegal gambling dens in nightclubs and casinos.

"Gambling destroys families," shared one Christian believer recently. "Many people become addicted and neglect their family duties."

Pray for those in China who have become addicted to any form of gambling. Pray that the chains that bind them might be loosed and that many might find freedom through Christ Jesus.

Pray for help for the families of those addicted to gambling. Pray too for wisdom as they seek to cope with the consequences of their relative's addiction.

Give thanks for the arrest of Chongqing's "godmother" and pray that more criminals running illegal gambling dens might be stopped.

Pray for effective safeguards to be put in place to stop Chinese officials from gambling away public money.