• 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
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Gambling warning not for Macau visitors: PRC scholar

Jun 09, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Gambling warning not for Macau visitors: PRC scholar

A warning from a Chinese central government agency to the country’s citizens against ‘gambling’ while they are on holiday at home or overseas is not aimed at those gambling legally in Macau casinos, a mainland scholar who helped to draft the circular has told GGRAsia.

A caution on nine “bad behaviours” – in which Chinese tourists should avoid engaging – has been issued by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and included ‘gambling’.

The CNTA notice said people found to be in violation of the conduct rules could be investigated by officials, with the possibility of facing some kind of sanction.

“What the CNTA notice has mentioned gambling being listed as one of the bad behaviours [it] is to a much larger extent referring to a warning against Chinese citizens gambling domestically on the mainland,” said Han Yuning, an academic at Beijing International Studies University, in comments to GGRAsia.

Ms Han, a regular commentator on China tourism policies, assisted in the drafting of the latest CNTA notice, she told us.

Macau is the only place in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) where casino gambling is legal.

As well as mentioning gambling, the circular also warned tourists against: prostitution; drug taking; damaging cultural relics; disorderly conduct on public transportation; unhygienic activity when in public; violating social customs; endangering themselves and others; and damaging ecological environments.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), told local media on June 2, on the sidelines of a public event, that visitors gambling legally under the laws of Macau would not risk being reported to the CNTA by her organisation.

The MGTO boss said she understood the CNTA notice to be aimed mainly at developing a positive image of Chinese travellers.

Chinese-language media had mentioned the possibility of offenders under the CNTA rules having their names recorded in what was referred to as a “black book” for a period of at least a year, and a period of between three and five years if the offence involved a crime. The reports didn’t clarify what impact such blacklisting might have on the person involved.

A note on June 3 from brokerage Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd mentioned that blacklisting could potentially be linked to a “social credit” rating system said to be in operation in China.

Such a rating system – outlined by the State Council in 2014 according to a report by Chinese news agency Xinhua in June that year – is said to seek to score citizens in four areas: administrative affairs; commercial activities; social behaviour; and interaction with the judicial system.

According to the CNTA notice, a special committee formed of government departments, legal experts, and representatives from the tourism industry would be responsible for assessing whether “bad behaviour” by an individual Chinese tourist merited that person being blacklisted and if so, for how long.

If such action were taken, it could be disclosed to the public, the CNTA notice added.

GGRAsia approached the CNTA for comment on what sanctions might be taken against Chinese tourists gambling in unlicensed and unregulated premises either at home or overseas. We had not received a reply by the time this story went online.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau govt now tips 2023 visitor tally to be 27mln plus
    Macau govt now tips 2023 visitor tally...

    Nov 23, 2023  

  • Macau had nearly 23mln visitor arrivals Jan-Oct: govt
    Macau had nearly 23mln visitor arrivals...

    Nov 03, 2023  

More news
  • Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy
    Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on...

    Nov 30, 2023  

  • Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA
    Macau op premium play reinvestment...

    Nov 30, 2023  


Latest News

Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy

Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy

Nov 30, 2023  

Philippine gross gaming revenue (GGR) could be “US$5.0 billion to US$5.2 billion” for full-year 2023, says industry consultancy GCG Gaming Advisory Services Pty Ltd. Anything toward the top of...
Read More
Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA

Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA

Nov 30, 2023  

‘Treasure Island’ enriches Pragmatic Play Live Casino offer

‘Treasure Island’ enriches Pragmatic Play Live Casino...

Nov 30, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”The hotel towers, convention hall, and arena are the cornerstones in Phase 1. The resort is mainly aimed at Koreans first”

Chen Si

President of the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea



Most Popular

  • Miriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports teamMiriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports team November 29, 2023
  • Inspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort bizInspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort biz November 30, 2023
  • Bruno Mars to perform at MGM Cotai in Jan: MGM ChinaBruno Mars to perform at MGM Cotai in Jan: MGM China November 28, 2023
  • Nomura caution on China economy, China tourism in AsiaNomura caution on China economy, China tourism in Asia November 28, 2023
  • Hokkaido pref assembly LDP members push for IR reviewHokkaido pref assembly LDP members push for IR review November 29, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us