Macau is no Hong Kong. That’s for sure.

Macau, with a population of merely around 430,000, is only one-fifteenth that of neighbor Hong Kong, and it’s economy, even smaller in proportion. This is the ‘bad lands’ of the world, so to speak, with Macau being known for its betting atmosphere, violence and prostitution.

Did someone say prostitution? Oh my… Now that’s THE way to celebrate the brand new Chinese new year baby. Celebrating it with a Chinese hoe.

Hong Kong is a kaleidoscope of trade, finance…, Macau is a shadowy blur of blackjack, roulette, poker and prostitution. Since 1996, bloody wars among the triads, or secret societies, have transformed Macau into a mini replica of 1920s Chicago, replete with machine gun assassinations outside.  - [My Olive Tree]

The reason for all the violence? Easy. The almighty dollar.

Macau’s economy depends heavily on it’s nightlife that casinos from every corner are taking advantage by this very premise. That is why the place has been rocked by numerous murders, arson attacks and stabbings with people clamoring for every dollar they can find.

Hmm… the Chicago Bulls’ owner, Jerry Krause, will definitely be at home here.

The stakes are enormous. Fifty per cent of Macau’s gross national product comes from gambling. The turf war erupted, fueled by a slowdown in Macau’s economy that has cut the gangsters’ profits. For years, the triads have thrived, in uneasy coexistence with the government, by running the loan sharking, smuggling and flesh trade surrounding the casinos. - [Organized Crime Registry]

‘’I think there are some connections between the triads of Hong Kong, the mainland [China] and Macau,'’ says the Macau police.

‘’You commit a crime here, you walk across the border or you take a boat and in 10 minutes, nobody knows where you are,’’said Harold Bruning, a columnist for the Hong Kong standard.

By all means, Macau is the Vegas of the East. If waterfront cafes and dangerous alley where all manner of decadence takes place is your thing then by all means go and visit the world’s rated R locale.

Visit at your own risk.