Macau is quite the mix of cultures: Portuguese and Chinese mainly. Its major languages are Cantonese and Mandarin; Portuguese features, too.
Biggest casino (last I was there) was Wynn: grand, high ceilings, quiet but relaxed; warm colours (carpet, lighting, etc.). Well-lit. Sections are clear: Black Jack, Slots, etc. (Don't recall the rest of the names, sorry.)
Casinos still abound. Do a quick Google search for "Macau Casino" and "Macau industry".
The ferry port is still a mess; hasn't really improved at all. You either need to grab a taxi, have a friend there who drives, or get a hotel shuttle bus.
Most of the hotels are near the centre of Macau. Shopping is good, but, like any modernised city, you have to go through to the back streets to find the authentic stuff. Crime rate is low. Unless you deliberately invite it.
And the Venetian (newest, most expensive hotel) is worth exploring. It's large enough that you need a map. Also has a waterway in the middle; gondola ride if you're interested.
Relation with the PRC is good. Macau loves being back as part of China, although the place is still known as Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region).
Political dissidents: don't hear much about it.
Regarding organised crime, I'm guessing they stick mainly to the casinos -- make more money there than robbing people or whatever. But since Macau is on the Mainland, wouldn't surprise me that it's the Mainland triads that control the crime.
Local personalities: friendly, passionate people. They mind their own business, used to seeing tourists, relaxed. Most speak Cantonese, but can switch to Mandarin. Portuguese not so much these days. Else, it's business as usual.
Small, local family-owned shops, are the trend despite larger stores.
As far as getting chased through a casino, check out the following list:
http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/macau. Also
http://macaucasinoguide.com/ may offer some ideas.
For a good chase, try Casino Lisboa -- hotel is round the corner / connected to it, and it's one of the more well-known establishments. Wynn (
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...qpWOCg&usg=AFQjCNEPtogvwDcZVtGoinRbdMGhrMTSjQ) security is tighter than most. Venetian (hotel) is a vertiable maze (
http://www.venetianmacao.com/).
This last link,
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_955.html, should provide an overview of the place. But beware, it may not contain the most updated information.
Hope this helps you get started.