Macau may be a tiny speck on the southern coast of China but this former Portuguese colony is absolutely heaving with tourists keen to make a quick buck. Last year, 22 million people passed through Macau's 26 casinos and, for the first time, gambling revenue on this tiny autonomous region outstripped Las Vegas.
Dateline's David O'Shea can't believe his eyes as people casually bet $125,000 a hand -- and he's told $250,000 a hand is also common. Jamie Packer even makes an appearance, keen to get a foothold in this gambling heaven.
But what about Macau's residents? Some feel development is happening way too fast and there are fears that organised crime will make Macau a dangerous place to live. Not to mention the limited job opportunities for Macau's youth -- working in a casino is just about the only option.
About International Dateline
SBS Dateline, which began in 1984, is Australia's longest-running international current affairs program. It has a well-earned reputation for authoritative and incisive reporting. Dateline has taken the traditional way of producing TV current affairs and turned it on its head. Reporters who used to travel with a cameraperson and sound recordist now travel alone and have the responsibility of both filming and reporting their stories. The reporters became video-journalists, gaining access to people and places that the conventional camera crews cannot.
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