• 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

MGM waiting for Macau govt on face recognition tech: Bowie

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


MGM waiting for Macau govt on face recognition tech: Bowie

Macau casino operator MGM China Holdings Ltd has yet to install any facial recognition technology at the company’s properties, says the firm’s chief executive Grant Bowie. The company is currently waiting for the Macau government to issue guidelines regarding the use of such technology, he said on Wednesday in comments to local reporters.

“We acknowledged and recognised that there are significant privacy issues” associated with facial recognition technology, said Mr Bowie (pictured in a file photo). “We will be waiting for the [Macau] government to provide clear guidelines as to ‘what’ and ‘how’ we would implement it, if that was deemed appropriate by them,” he added as quoted by Macau public broadcaster TDM.

Macau’s casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, said last month the use of facial recognition technology needed government approval before it could be introduced on an operational basis inside the city’s gaming venues. At the moment, “two to three” gaming operators were testing such technology in the Macau market, confirmed at the time the bureau’s head, Paulo Martins Chan.

In his Wednesday comments to reporters, Mr Bowie said MGM China had a “very sophisticated surveillance system,” which was “designed to ensure the probity, integrity and safety” of the firm’s gaming operations. “For us, at this point in time, it seems to be sufficient,” said the CEO.

“Technologies change and evolve, but particularly for facial recognition we need clear guidelines from the government,” added Mr Bowie.

MGM China operates the casino hotel MGM Macau, located on the Macau peninsula, and the MGM Cotai casino resort, in Macau’s Cotai district. The latter opened in February 2018.

The chief executive of SJM Holdings Ltd, a rival Macau operator, said in late July that the company was not at that time testing any facial recognition technology at the company’s properties.

“Of course, we would like to make use of every [piece of] high technology in order to improve the efficiency of the operation,” said Ambrose So Shu Fai, adding that the use of facial recognition technology would have to be “done under the regulations and laws in Macau”.

Casino promoter Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd had stated in April – in its Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2018 – it was “preparing to install the latest generation” of facial recognition technology in its venues in Macau and Manila this year.

An article in a recent edition of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Gaming Law Journal, suggested that the casino industry could risk losing consumer trust unless it handled carefully the issues of how it gathers player information and then uses it.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Moody’s expects MGM, Wynn to pursue large IR development 
    Moody’s expects MGM, Wynn to pursue...

    Apr 08, 2021  

  • MGM China incremental debt is credit negative: Moody’s
    MGM China incremental debt is credit...

    Mar 25, 2021  

More news
  • April pax tally to rise 26pct m-o-m says Macau airport op
    April pax tally to rise 26pct m-o-m...

    Apr 19, 2021  

  • Two-day Japan IR Forum online event begins on Weds
    Two-day Japan IR Forum online event...

    Apr 19, 2021  


Latest News

April pax tally to rise 26pct m-o-m says Macau airport op

April pax tally to rise 26pct m-o-m says Macau airport op

Apr 19, 2021  

Macau’s airport expects a circa 26-percent-higher volume of passenger movements in April compared to March, according to information it provided to GGRAsia. Macau International Airport Co Ltd,...
Read More
Two-day Japan IR Forum online event begins on Weds

Two-day Japan IR Forum online event begins on Weds

Apr 19, 2021  

Talks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid pandemic: source

Talks on NagaWorld lay-offs amid pandemic: source

Apr 19, 2021  

Oaktree offers US$$2.3bln for Crown to buy out Packer

Oaktree offers US$$2.3bln for Crown to buy out Packer

Apr 19, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$1.14 billion

Macau’s total VIP gross gaming revenue in the first quarter of 2021



Most Popular

  • Macau 2021 GGR could be half of pre- Covid-19 levels: FitchMacau 2021 GGR could be half of pre- Covid-19 levels: Fitch April 15, 2021
  • NUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRINUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRI April 16, 2021
  • Macau VIP GGR up 20pct sequentially in 1Q: govtMacau VIP GGR up 20pct sequentially in 1Q: govt April 16, 2021
  • Macau may tie GBA backing to gaming tender: law expertsMacau may tie GBA backing to gaming tender: law experts April 16, 2021
  • Bloomberry Quezon project in 2023, focus on preserving cashBloomberry Quezon project in 2023, focus on preserving cash April 16, 2021
Copyright 2014-2021 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us