• 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

Macau casino smoking lounges hit 600-mark

Oct 11, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau casino smoking lounges hit 600-mark

Macau’s Health Bureau says it gave permission during September for 23 new-style smoking lounges in Macau’s gaming venues, according to an update published on Wednesday.

As of September 30, there was an aggregate of 606 new-style smoking lounges – as required under recently-updated legislation – for a total of 33 gaming venues in the city. There was one new venue added to the list since the end of August.

The figures point to a simple average – not accounting for variation in the size of Macau gaming properties – of 18 smoking lounges per casino venue in Macau.

The Health Bureau noted on Wednesday that as of September 30 it had received requests for an aggregate of 650 smoking lounges from 34 gaming venues in Macau. It didn’t name them, nor did it identify those venues that had simply chosen not ask permission for new-style smoking lounges.

There are currently 45 gaming venues in operation in the city, including five standalone slot parlours, according to data from the local casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Many of the venues have either multiple gaming floors or multiple gaming areas, including VIP zones often physically separate from the main gaming facilities.

Up to December 31, VIP rooms had been the only places in Macau casinos where it was still allowed to smoke at the gaming table. New rules on smoking in public places in Macau came into effect on January 1, 2018, although a one-year grace period for the casino industry permitted VIP room smoking at table side to continue for a further 12 months.

Several investment analysts had mentioned previously that the full application – with effect from January 1, 2019 – of new smoking rules were in likelihood a headwind for the gaming sector.

In Wednesday’s written announcement, the Health Bureau said it conducted 994 joint patrols of Macau gaming floors with officials from the city’s casino regulator in the first nine months of 2019, up 51.3 percent year-on-year. Such inspections had resulted in 1.079 instances of alleged smoking rule violations being identified and acted upon, down 14.5 percent from the prior-year period, according to the statement.

Those incidents accounted for 25.9 percent of public smoking infractions citywide in the first nine months of 2019. Casinos were the biggest single source of Macau’s reported smoking rule violations so far this year, according to the bureau.

In September alone, the City of Dreams’ casino, operated by Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, and the casino at Venetian Macao run by Sands China Ltd, were identified as “black spots” for alleged smoking rule violations, the Health Bureau said in its Wednesday statement.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Eight Covid-19 testing stations at Macau casino resorts: govt
    Eight Covid-19 testing stations at...

    Oct 05, 2020  

  • Macau’s casino staff mask rule extended to March
    Macau’s casino staff mask rule...

    Sep 23, 2020  

More news
  • Macau subsidised staycation for locals covers casino resorts
    Macau subsidised staycation for locals...

    Apr 14, 2021  

  • Macau 1Q VIP GGR bad at 20pct pre pandemic: JP Morgan
    Macau 1Q VIP GGR bad at 20pct pre...

    Apr 14, 2021  


Latest News

Macau subsidised staycation for locals covers casino resorts

Macau subsidised staycation for locals covers casino resorts

Apr 14, 2021  

Macau residents can, starting from April 15 (Thursday), sign up at any of 161 accredited travel agencies in the city, in order to book a government-subsidised “staycation” at any of more than 70...
Read More
Macau 1Q VIP GGR bad at 20pct pre pandemic: JP Morgan

Macau 1Q VIP GGR bad at 20pct pre pandemic: JP Morgan

Apr 14, 2021  

GEN Malaysia unit taps US$1bln in notes

GEN Malaysia unit taps US$1bln in notes

Apr 14, 2021  

Cambodia’s Phnom Penh curfew extended to April 28

Cambodia’s Phnom Penh curfew extended to April 28

Apr 14, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”It is the expectation of Blackstone that it will receive probity approval to acquire 100 percent of Crown from each of the state gaming regulators [in Australia] by third-quarter 2021”

Australian casino operator Crown Resorts



Most Popular

  • Three Manila casinos say still shut despite eased lockdownThree Manila casinos say still shut despite eased lockdown April 13, 2021
  • Macau seeks mutual vaccine recognition with Guangdong: CEMacau seeks mutual vaccine recognition with Guangdong: CE April 13, 2021
  • Macau casino 1Q EBITDA softer sequentially: MSMacau casino 1Q EBITDA softer sequentially: MS April 12, 2021
  • Philippines needs AML reform on casino biz: IMFPhilippines needs AML reform on casino biz: IMF April 12, 2021
  • Manila quarantine easing to April 30, casinos shut for nowManila quarantine easing to April 30, casinos shut for now April 12, 2021
Copyright 2014-2021 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us