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Wheels and tiles: Maintaining social connections through mah-jong and roulette gambling in Manchester

Author: Z. Liu Published: July 2013

Summary

This thesis by Zhihong Liu examines gambling practices amongst Chinese migrants in Manchester, focusing on mah-jong and casino gambling.

Topics covered

  • gambling practices of Chinese migrants in Manchester
  • social and cultural meanings of mah-jong and casino gambling
  • relationships between gambling, migration and social networks
  • perceptions of luck, money and social connections in gambling contexts

Key findings

Gambling serves important social functions for many Chinese migrants, helping maintain networks transplanted from home communities. Mah-jong gambling reinforces group boundaries and social ties, while casino gambling allows construction of new identities.


Access to social networks strongly influences migrants' gambling participation and settlement patterns.

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