• 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

Macau gaming bill raises doubt on some Mocha slot halls

Apr 12, 2022 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau gaming bill raises doubt on some Mocha slot halls

Macau’s gaming law amendment bill in likelihood puts some standalone slot parlours within the city in a similar position legally to so-called satellite casinos, two experts in local gaming regulation suggested to GGRAsia.

All of Macau’s six gaming concessionaires run “slot lounges”, with most of them housed within a casino, according to information available on the website of the local casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. But five such slot lounges – all under the Mocha Clubs brand – are classified by the regulator as slot parlours located outside casinos.

On the basis that the gaming law amendment bill “mandates that casinos shall be located in a property that is owned by the concessionaire, it is my opinion that this rule also applies to slot parlours,” said gaming law expert Carlos Lobo in comments to GGRAsia.

António Lobo Vilela, a lecturer in gaming law at the University of Macau and former advisor to the local government, noted to GGRAsia that up to now, use of administrative regulation has permitted slot lounges to run in non-casino premises, but administrative regulation is outranked by statute law, including in this case, the new gaming law amendment.

“According to the hierarchy of the sources, administrative regulations cannot contravene laws… the space of the [gaming] machine parlours must be considered a casino,” said Mr Vilela.

The Mocha Clubs chain was founded by Hong Kong-listed Melco International Development Ltd, the parent of Macau casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, with the concept focusing on coffee-shop style gaming entertainment distinct from the traditional casino market. That business rationale is still mentioned in Melco Resorts’ latest annual report.

According to the annual report for 2021, there were as of December 31, eight Mocha Clubs active. One is on the premises of Altira Macau, a Melco Resorts casino; two are on the premises of satellite casino hotels; two are associated with respective premises of non-gaming hotels; and three are associated with other commercial premises.

In the annual report, the Mocha Clubs business is described as the “largest non-casino based” gaming machine operation in the city. The document adds that Mocha Clubs are operated at either “leased or sub-leased” premises, or under “right-to-use” agreements.

In 2021, Melco Resorts’ operating revenues from Mocha Clubs were US$85.0 million, representing 4.2 percent of group operating revenues, according to the annual report. In 2020 the clubs represented 3.8 percent of operating revenues, and in 2019, they were 2.0 percent of group operating revenues.

Altira Macau’s Mocha operation had 121 gaming machines in 2021. That year, the other seven Mocha Clubs accounted in aggregate for 813 operational gaming machines, according to the annual report.

GGRAsia approached Melco International Development asking if the group would seek to relocate non-casino based Mocha Clubs within its own casino premises. The company said it had no response to offer at the moment.

GGRAsia also asked the city’s gaming regulator for comment on the anticipated compliance criteria for existing slot parlours under the planned  new regulatory framework.

The regulator said: “The [gaming law amendment] bill is still in a detailed deliberation stage at the Legislative Assembly. The Macau SAR government is getting fully engaged with the workings of the assembly.”


  • tweet
Related articles
  • No gaming licensing system gold standard: UNLV paper
    No gaming licensing system gold...

    Jun 02, 2023  

  • CoD Mediterranean in Cyprus public launch July 10: Melco
    CoD Mediterranean in Cyprus public...

    May 12, 2023  

More news
  • China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS
    China Politburo meeting key for any...

    Jun 07, 2023  

  • L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly
    L&W building game content across 3...

    Jun 07, 2023  


Latest News

China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS

China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS

Jun 07, 2023  

Chinese government policies relevant to investors and consumers might “turn more positive” if the country’s economic-growth momentum “continues to weaken”, says a note from...
Read More
L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly

L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly

Jun 07, 2023  

G2E Asia 2023: Singapore

  • L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly
    L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly

    Jun 07, 2023  

    Casino gaming content and hardware provider Light &...
  • ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu
    ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu

    Jun 06, 2023  

    Electronic table games (ETGs) supplier Interblock dd is...
  • GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing
    GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing

    Jun 05, 2023  

    Random number generator (RNG) testing tools are among the...
  • Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets
    Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Alfastreet, a manufacturer of electronic gaming machines,...
  • Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online
    Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is tweaking...
  • iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform
    iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform

    Jun 01, 2023  

    The iGaming segment in Asia “has grown rapidly” since...
  • ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech suppliers
    ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech...

    May 31, 2023  

    Showing slot machine players – via animations on the...
  • Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst
    Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst

    May 31, 2023  

    Macau stocks in likelihood “have been punished too much...
  • Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan: scholar
    Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan:...

    May 31, 2023  

    There are foreign companies still interested in investing...
  • Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser
    Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser

    May 31, 2023  

    Thailand could pass the necessary enabling legislation for...
  • China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel
    China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel

    May 30, 2023  

    China will remain a key market for Asian gaming...
  • Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss Tengco
    Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss

    May 30, 2023  

    Alejandro Tengco (pictured in a file photo), chairman and...
  • Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller
    Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller

    May 30, 2023  

    There are “plenty of reasons” for the global gaming...
  • IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia
    IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia

    May 30, 2023  

    Gaming equipment provider International Game Technology Plc...
  • G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today
    G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today

    May 30, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023 Special Edition:...
  • Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore
    Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore

    May 29, 2023  

    Austria-based gaming equipment maker and operator Novomatic...
  • Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore
    Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore

    May 25, 2023  

    Sports betting and online casino operating platform...
  • L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP gaming
    L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP...

    May 24, 2023  

    The business performance in Asia of gaming content and...
  • G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors
    G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors

    May 18, 2023  

    The organisers of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023...
  • ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in Singapore
    ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in...

    May 17, 2023  

    Gaming content and equipment supplier Light & Wonder...
  • Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore
    Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore

    May 16, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is to...
  • Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon
    Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon

    May 09, 2023  

    Casino slot machine and digital gaming content provider...
  • IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in Singapore
    IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in...

    May 05, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia event in Singapore is the...
  • Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore
    Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore

    May 04, 2023  

    An adviser to a Thailand parliamentary committee mulling...

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We’ve said we want to grow EBITDA ... to US$1.4 billion in 2025. And we have a really high level of conviction about getting there”

Matt Wilson

Chief executive of casino equipment provider Light & Wonder



Most Popular

  • Macau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP MorganMacau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP Morgan June 5, 2023
  • Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024 June 6, 2023
  • China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBSChina Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS June 7, 2023

Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us