• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

2H consultation on Macau gaming law, confirms govt

Mar 15, 2021 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


2H consultation on Macau gaming law, confirms govt

A Macau government senior official confirmed on Monday that the city will launch “in the second half of this year,” a public consultation process regarding the revision of the city’s gaming law, including provisions for a new public tender for Macau gaming rights.

The city’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, said so in comments to the local media.

The “preparation work” for public consultation was “now in progress,” stated Mr Lei.

“We have prepared to launch the consultation in the second half of this year,” added the Secretary. He was speaking at a Monday briefing on a fresh package of government financial support for Macau ID holders and local companies amid the ongoing economic effects on the Macau tourism and gaming sectors, of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Work to pave the way for a fresh public tender for Macau gaming rights includes amendment to current Macau gaming law.

The government had flagged in its Policy Address for Fiscal Year 2021 announced in November, that it aimed to submit such amendments to the Legislative Assembly by the fourth quarter of this year.

That led some commentators to speculate that the timetable for public consultation and for gaming law amendment would be too tight to allow for a new public tender before June 2022, when the six current gaming licences are due to expire, and that some extension of existing rights might be needed.

Current Macau gaming law states that the licences of the existing holders can be extended for a maximum of up to five years from the original 20-year term.

On Monday, Secretary Lei – the official overseeing Macau’s gaming sector – was also asked whether the city’s government still maintained an earlier forecast of MOP130 billion (US$16.28 billion) for the city’s casino gross gaming revenue in full-year 2021.

He said simply: “Now we are only in the first quarter, and there are still three quarters ahead.”

The city’s gaming revenue trend had been “stabilising” and then “rising” since mainland China reopened on September 23, exit visa applications for its residents to make trips to Macau under the country’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), Secretary Lei stated.

The Macau government collected MOP6.32 billion in tax from the city’s gaming industry in the first two months of this year. The sum accounted for 67.7 percent of the MOP9.34-billion tax revenue the government collected from all sources during that period, according to the latest data from the Financial Services Bureau.

The Macau government expected to collect nearly MOP50.01 billion in taxes from the city’s gaming industry for the full year 2021, according to its budget plan for the current fiscal year.

Mr Lei gave some brief commentary on Monday regarding the Covid-19 vaccination programmes on respectively the mainland and in Macau, suggesting they could aid recovery of the Macau tourism market. The mainland is currently the only place to have a largely quarantine-free travel bubble with Macau.

The official said the Macau government would continue stimulus measures to boost mainland-China tourists’ spending in the city. Methods would include promotional giveaways on flight tickets, on hotel stays, and on other items, using some online commercial platforms favoured by mainland consumers, Mr Lei added.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Paradise Ent says deployment of own slots hit by pandemic
    Paradise Ent says deployment of own...

    Apr 20, 2021  

  • Talks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid pandemic: source
    Talks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid...

    Apr 19, 2021  

More news
  • Japan still draw for casinos, doubts on returns: panel
    Japan still draw for casinos, doubts on...

    Apr 22, 2021  

  • Macau visitor tally up 255pct in March, but 1Q down
    Macau visitor tally up 255pct in March,...

    Apr 22, 2021  


Latest News

Japan still draw for casinos, doubts on returns: panel

Japan still draw for casinos, doubts on returns: panel

Apr 22, 2021  

Japan was likely to remain a major opportunity for investment by international casino firms, though the eventual level of return on capital investment was subject to many variables. So heard a...
Read More
Macau visitor tally up 255pct in March, but 1Q down

Macau visitor tally up 255pct in March, but 1Q down

Apr 22, 2021  

Galaxy Ent launches voluntary exit scheme for pit bosses

Galaxy Ent launches voluntary exit scheme for pit bosses

Apr 22, 2021  

IGT board to slim when director leaves in May

IGT board to slim when director leaves in May

Apr 22, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”The [VIP and premium-mass] segments are following very different trajectories, and we would expect that to continue for the time being”

Grant Chum

Chief operating officer of Macau casino operator Sands China



Most Popular

  • GEN Malaysia likely 2021 loss amid pandemic: MaybankGEN Malaysia likely 2021 loss amid pandemic: Maybank April 21, 2021
  • Macau gaming demand recovering comfortably: analystsMacau gaming demand recovering comfortably: analysts April 20, 2021
  • Talks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid pandemic: sourceTalks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid pandemic: source April 19, 2021
  • Macau govt, analysts tip May Day bounty at casino resortsMacau govt, analysts tip May Day bounty at casino resorts April 20, 2021
  • NUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRINUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRI April 16, 2021
Copyright 2014-2021 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us