There were 236,000 instances in 2015 of casinos in Macau reporting they had refused entry to people under the age of 21, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported on Wednesday, citing data from the city’s gaming regulator.
The quoted figure represents a decrease of 94,000 in the number of entry denials to under-21s recorded in 2014, show the numbers from the regulator, the Gaming and Inspection Coordination Bureau.
Macau increased in November 2012 the minimum age for entry to casinos from 18 to 21. The move was described at the time as designed mainly to protect locals and encourage Macau young people to stay on in education rather than to become casino dealers straight from high school.
The rules state that any person under 21 that enters, works or gambles in a casino will be liable to a fine of between MOP1,000 (US$125) and MOP10,000. A casino operator allowing any person under 21 to enter, work or gamble in a casino will be liable to a fine of between MOP10,000 and MOP500,000.
Local players’ contribution to Macau casino gross gaming revenue is estimated by analysts as being small when judged in percentage terms.
