• 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

DICJ stresses continued oversight of Macau junket play

Jul 22, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


DICJ stresses continued oversight of Macau junket play

Macau’s casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, says it will continue to monitor city gaming venues where third-party gaming promoters known as junkets have operations, to ensure such activities are “legal”.

The gaming bureau gave the commentary in a statement issued on Friday evening, along with several images of bureau officials at work (one shown above). The regulator, also known by the Portuguese-language acronym DICJ,  stated that it had a meeting that day with the city’s Judiciary Police that discussed what it termed trends on “illicit online gaming activities” and gaming-related crimes.

The bureau said it had conducted several “spot checks” on the city’s junket venues this month. The bureau also reiterated that any violations of local laws, or even of regulations in places outside Macau, could potentially affect the suitability of a junket promoter in Macau, understood to be a reference to whether it would be in good standing with the local authorities. Gaming promoters in Macau VIP rooms require a licence from the city’s government in order to operate.

The topic of illegal online gaming has been in the public agenda following reports by Chinese state-backed media, which alleged that Suncity Group brand had been involved in operating an online gaming platform for play outside Macau. Suncity has publicly denied the online gaming allegations, adding that even if certain “products” were “legally allowed to operate in other countries and regions, the company will not adopt them if the laws of Macau do not allow it”.

VIP gaming earnings of casinos on the Philippines could suffer if proxy betting was no longer pursued in that market, suggested Chinese investment bank China International Capital Corp (CICC) in a Friday memo.

“Across gaming jurisdictions in Asia, we believe long-term growth prospects continue for Macau (for sustained mass segment growth) and Cambodia,” stated some of the institution’s analysts.

But CICC analysts Shengyong Goh, Kai Qian, and Liwei Hou added: “We are concerned about the impact on Philippines gaming from the cessation of proxy betting, which could contribute about 30 percent to 40 percent of its VIP gross gaming venue (GGR).”

The CICC team saw what it termed a “restrained” outlook for Macau’s VIP gaming performance in the second half of this year, and expected that a “VIP recovery” might not happen in the period – as some other commentators had predicted prior to the Suncity stories. The institution said its assessment was due to likelihood of the junkets “laying lower” and marketing efforts being “restrained”.

“While signs indicate that VIP rolling volumes could have troughed in second quarter of 2019 (- 18 percent year-on-year versus – 23 percent year-on-year in first quarter of 2019), our restrained outlook on Macau’s second-half 2019 VIP segment,” stemmed from the possibility “junkets or agents could restrain marketing efforts as further regulatory risks remain,” the CICC analysts wrote.

Macau’s VIP baccarat GGR fell 15.6 percent year-on-year in the second quarter to MOP34.6 billion (US$4.30 billion), occupying 47.2 percent of the city’s overall casino GGR in the period.

“Recent alleged overseas proxy betting operations for junkets could lead to possible operational pressure on junkets as overseas operations could be curtailed,” the CICC analysts explained in their commentary. They also suggested there might have been “inflated VIP rolling volumes” in the second quarter from “mega single patrons” in May and June this year.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt
    Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR...

    Jan 15, 2021  

  • About 17pct of Macau resort eateries shut: report
    About 17pct of Macau resort eateries...

    Jan 07, 2021  

More news
  • Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein
    Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass...

    Jan 22, 2021  

  • Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties
    Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland...

    Jan 22, 2021  


Latest News

Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein

Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein

Jan 22, 2021  

Were China’s central government-backed digital yuan (CNY) to be adopted in Macau for casino chip transactions, it could in the long run benefit mass and premium-mass play, as cross-border money...
Read More
Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties

Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties

Jan 22, 2021  

Mohegan seeks govt nod to delay Inspire opening

Mohegan seeks govt nod to delay Inspire opening

Jan 22, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"The entire company is eagerly anticipating the launch of our newest themed destination – The Londoner Macao"

Wilfred Wong Ying Wai

President of Macau-based casino operator Sands China



Most Popular

  • Sands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra paymentSands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra payment January 21, 2021
  • Londoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands ChinaLondoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands China January 21, 2021
  • Melco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’sMelco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’s January 20, 2021
  • Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel tiesMacau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties January 22, 2021
  • Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls BernsteinDigital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein January 22, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us