• 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

National interest could add competition in Macau: SVA

Jan 20, 2015 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


National interest could add competition in Macau: SVA

The Macau government might be minded to endorse a new “local” entity as a gaming concessionaire – possibly to provide competition to the existing six operators when their current permissions expire in 2020 and 2022 says a new report looking at commercial and political risk in key Asian markets.

“The [Macau] concessionaires expect easy renewals, but the visibility of U.S. companies such as Las Vegas Sands [Corp] and Wynn Resorts [Ltd], and nationalist feeling in China could tempt the [Macau] government to endorse a local competitor,” says the report ‘2015 Asia Risk Assessment’ published on Tuesday.

It comes from Hong Kong-based Steve Vickers Associates (SVA), a specialist risk mitigation, corporate intelligence, security and consulting company. The report offers assessment of risks in eight key Asian markets: China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Myanmar.

In August, Macau’s Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On pledged to carry out a public consultation on the casino licence “renewal” process ahead of making any decision.

The years 2015 and 2016 have been mentioned by the city’s government as starting points for discussion, but officials have not said if that will be to grant new concession contracts to the existing operators or renew the current concessions. Current gaming licences can be extended more than once but only to a total limit of five years.

SVA’s chief executive Steve Vickers added in an email to GGRAsia, explaining some of the thinking behind the idea of a new local competitor being allowed in the market: “China has historically sought to learn from foreign investors, develop local capacity and then advance local interests. Moreover, the government of [President] Xi Jinping is taking a nationalist stance towards a range of industrial issues.”

Championing local business

Referring to the opening phase of Macau market liberalisation in 2002, Mr Vickers added: “One reason the Macau authorities sought U.S. company involvement in Macau in 2002 was their expertise in Las Vegas and elsewhere, but now many local companies have their own capacity. As such, it is possible that Beijing or Macau would choose to advance a Chinese champion in the gaming sector, for nationalist reasons.”

He further stated to GGRAsia: “At this point there are no obvious local candidates; however, there are many possibilities. Along these lines it is possible, though they have hit some stiff headwinds recently, that one or more of the major junkets may be allowed to convert their respective franchise into a gaming concession.”

Mr Vickers said, referring to Malaysia-based Genting Bhd, parent of Asian casino operators Genting Malaysia Bhd, Genting Singapore Plc and Genting Hong Kong Ltd: “It is also possible that an ‘Asian’ gaming entity such as Genting would prove more palatable to the PRC than a Western/U.S. based firm. While the list of possible replacement concessionaires is still unclear, what is clear is that the PRC Government has a practice of supporting and promoting domestic champions over foreign (read: Western) interest.”

“While China needed Western gaming entities to take the risks and develop the Macau gaming sector away from the earlier monopoly model; the same will not be true in 2022. Therefore, as in the case of other sectors where foreign investment interests are large; it is prudent to expect a bumpy road ahead for the relevant entities,” he added.

In the run up to Macau’s Legislative Assembly elections of September 2013, some populist candidates suggested Macau should have a “people’s concession” possibly publicly-owned and managed on behalf of Macau residents.

David Green, an Australian lawyer and former gaming regulator in Australia, who has advised the Macau government on gaming regulatory policy since 2000, said at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2014 conference in Macau he foresaw that any additional concessions might require a full tender process.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Singapore proxy bet ban likely precautionary: experts
    Singapore proxy bet ban likely...

    Feb 22, 2022  

  • Junket exit, pandemic 2022 risk for APAC casinos: pundits
    Junket exit, pandemic 2022 risk for...

    Dec 31, 2021  

More news
  • Melco to launch new family attraction at Studio City in June
    Melco to launch new family attraction...

    May 19, 2022  

  • Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent
    Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in...

    May 19, 2022  


Latest News

Melco to launch new family attraction at Studio City in June

Melco to launch new family attraction at Studio City in June

May 19, 2022  

Casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd announced on Thursday that it would launch at the end of June a new, themed zone for “family-friendly” entertainment at its majority-owned...
Read More
Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent

Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent

May 19, 2022  

Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies aged 87

Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies aged 87

May 19, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$403.9 million

Interim normalised profit after tax and amortisation reported by slot machine maker and online gaming content provider Aristocrat Leisure



Most Popular

  • Wynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for sharesWynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for shares May 17, 2022
  • Macau repeat visitors denied visa by China says BernsteinMacau repeat visitors denied visa by China says Bernstein May 16, 2022
  • U.S. says Steve Wynn ‘foreign agent’, lobbied for ChinaU.S. says Steve Wynn ‘foreign agent’, lobbied for China May 18, 2022
  • Alleged bribe offer to ex-Wynn manager probed by HK, MacauAlleged bribe offer to ex-Wynn manager probed by HK, Macau May 17, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us