Despite the fear of many when Hong Kong returned to China some years ago, the city remains pretty much the same. After the fall of racing revenues at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the government will be asking the Legislative Council to change the gambling tax. Civil groups that warn against gambling addictions oppose to the change.

Internet gambling and The Jockey Club is the biggest taxpayer in the territory for its economic losses are not good news for the government that used their share of revenues to pay social services.

Hong Kongs low-tax system is not living its best period. Bets on horse races have decreased 30 percent, which means losses of 62.7 billion Hong Kong dollars approximately for the eight past years. One of the reasons for this decrease is Macao. Its casinos are an hour by ferry from Hong Kong and their popularity among gamblers from all over Asia increases every day. Their Las Vegas-style shows and their glamorous casinos and hotels are a focus of attraction for visitors. Besides hotels are inexpensive, and often a real bargain if taken with ferry packages. The variety of entertainment facilities and casinos, according to Gracemary Leung, a psychologist at the University of Hong Kong, are the main attractions of Macao. Just as an example, Sands Macau, had 20.000 visitors on its first day. More casinos are scheduled to be built in Macau by 2006 and 2007, among them, the Wynn Macau, the Crown Macau, the Macau Venetian Casino Resort, and the MGM Grand Macau.