• 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

Keep smoking lounges in Macau casinos: SJM CEO

Aug 06, 2015 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Keep smoking lounges in Macau casinos: SJM CEO

SJM Holdings Ltd’s chief executive, Ambrose So Shui Fai (pictured), has called on the competent authorities not to ban smoking lounges from casinos in Macau.

“Having smoking lounges inside casinos does not run contrary to the [government's proposed] total smoking ban,” the senior executive of the Macau gaming operator told reporters on Wednesday.

Quoted by local broadcaster TDM, Mr So added that keeping smoking lounges was “fair for smokers and also for non-smokers: smokers can go inside the smoking lounge and enjoy their smoking without affecting the non-smokers.”

Macau’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, who oversees smoking control policies, has said several times that smoking lounges inside casinos are not completely effective in preventing non-smokers being exposed to secondhand smoke.

Smoking on casino main floors in Macau is currently only allowed in airport-style enclosed smoking lounges that do not contain any gaming tables or slot machines. Having a cigarette while gambling is at present still allowed in VIP rooms.

The city’s Legislative Assembly is analysing a government proposal for the abolition of smoking lounges and a full smoking ban in VIP areas. Legislators approved the first reading of the bill on July 10.

Investment analysts have said removing mass floor smoking lounges could shave 10 percent from mass market gaming revenue, and a VIP room smoking ban as much as 15 percent from VIP revenue.

MGM China Holdings Ltd on Tuesday said that gaming revenue from main floor gaming operations in the first half of 2015 decreased by 18.6 percent in year-on-year terms, “directly attributable to the changed business conditions in the Macau gaming market such as the transit visa restriction and main floor smoking restriction introduced by the Macau government both of which became effective from the second half of 2014.”

In October 2014, the Macau government banned smoking from casino mass floors except inside smoking lounges. Before that, gaming operators were allowed to set up smoking areas with gaming tables and slot machines, covering up to half of the total casino gaming area in each venue.

SJM Holdings’ Mr So also confirmed that the firm’s first-half 2015 results, to be announced next week, would show a slower performance compared to the prior-year period. “As a general comment on the whole industry, I think everybody suffered the decrease more or less to the same extent,” he said.

MGM China on Tuesday announced a 44-percent year-on-year profit decrease in the first half of 2015. Wynn Macau Ltd posted a year-on-year decrease of 62.5 percent in profit for the second quarter, while net income for Sands China Ltd was down 37.3 percent in year-on-year terms for the three months ended June 30.

As for the remaining two Macau-licensed casino operators, Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd is scheduled to announce its second quarter results today. Galaxy Entertainment Ltd will release its first half results later this month.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Chau, other defendants ordered to pay US$1.1bln: court
    Chau, other defendants ordered to pay...

    Jan 18, 2023  

  • Fresh non-gaming shot in dark for Macau: commentators
    Fresh non-gaming shot in dark for...

    Dec 19, 2022  

More news
  • Return of tours good for mass floor traffic: observers
    Return of tours good for mass floor...

    Feb 03, 2023  

  • S.Korea casino op GKL’s January sales up 230pct y-o-y
    S.Korea casino op GKL’s January...

    Feb 03, 2023  


Latest News

Return of tours good for mass floor traffic: observers

Return of tours good for mass floor traffic: observers

Feb 03, 2023  

The imminent return of package tours from mainland China will not only help boost Macau’s tourism businesses, but is also expected to help casinos gain more foot traffic in their mass gaming...
Read More
S.Korea casino op GKL’s January sales up 230pct y-o-y

S.Korea casino op GKL’s January sales up 230pct y-o-y

Feb 03, 2023  

Aristocrat completes acquisition of Roxor Gaming

Aristocrat completes acquisition of Roxor Gaming

Feb 03, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We are confident that the Philippine gaming sector will be able to fully recover, or even surpass its pre-pandemic earnings soon”

Alejandro Tengco

Chairman and chief executive of Pagcor



Most Popular

  • Jaw-dropping wagers in Macau CNY survey: CitigroupJaw-dropping wagers in Macau CNY survey: Citigroup February 2, 2023
  • Return of tours good for mass floor traffic: observersReturn of tours good for mass floor traffic: observers February 3, 2023
  • Galaxy Macau’s new arena to host K-pop group BlackpinkGalaxy Macau’s new arena to host K-pop group Blackpink January 9, 2023
  • Aruze Gaming America opts financial rejig after legal matterAruze Gaming America opts financial rejig after legal matter February 2, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us