Keywords
Residents' attitudes; pre-casino establishment; China; gaming
Disciplines
Gaming and Casino Operations Management | Gaming Law
Document Type
Original Research Article
Abstract
While Macau offers world class casinos, casino gaming is not legalized in Mainland China. Current media reports, however, indicate a growing interest by the Chinese government in establishing casinos in the Hainan Province. This study assesses the perceptions of residents about potential gaming development in their community. Resident attitude surveys have been used by planners and policymakers in order to gain local support for tourism projects and initiatives. A series of hypotheses were tested. In particular, the study evaluates the difference in perception between tourism workers and non-tourism workers, residents who live in the city center where the casino development project is planned and those who live outside the city center, and short-term residents and long-term residents. In addition, discriminant analysis was used to find out which of the perceptions variables discriminate the most between the sample groups. Implications for planning and communication are given.