• 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

Phone betting may account for 10 pct of Macau VIP revenue

May 22, 2014 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Phone betting may account for 10 pct of Macau VIP revenue

It is a rough figure, but so far the only available: phone betting may account for 10 percent of overall Macau VIP casino gross gaming revenue, estimates Tony Tong (pictured), principal investment director of junket operator Hengsheng Group.

VIP casino gross gaming revenue in Macau hit MOP238.5 billion (US$29.9 billion) last year. Mr Tong’s estimate would mean phone betting accounted for almost MOP24 billion of that amount. Overall casino gross gaming for last year was MOP360.7 billion.

This type of proxy betting takes place regularly at VIP rooms in Macau, Mr Tong told a conference session at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2014, which ended today. Clients outside of Macau phone a junket agent who places the bet on their behalf and then relays the game outcome to the client, also over the phone.

The customer may authorise the agent to use funds of a personal account, if it has one with that junket operator. But most of the times bets are placed using the agent’s account, Mr Tong said.

He said phone betting is not illegal in Macau. Mr Tong said the gaming regulator is aware it is happening, but does not oppose it as long as no video streaming is involved.

He said phone betting serves players for whom, for one reason or another, coming to Macau is inconvenient – most of the cases is due to visa restrictions. Mr Tong said phone betting works and is big in Macau’s VIP rooms because players “trust the integrity of the casino system”.

Mr Tong admitted phone betting makes it easier for side betting to occur because agents may want to earn more. But he said side betting has risks for players, including having enough guarantees they are paid in case of a win.

Side betting means agents taking bets “off the table”, and away from inclusion in casino concessionaires’ gross gaming revenue. For example, the agent and the player may agree that while play against the house is denominated and recorded in Hong Kong dollars, they will side bet as if that play had been in U.S. dollars. The agent assumes the operational risk or expense of the house in case the player wins, and collects the money in case he or she loses.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau ops sign contract extension, eye fresh public tender
    Macau ops sign contract extension, eye...

    Jun 23, 2022  

  • Macau gaming ops contract rollover signed today: CE
    Macau gaming ops contract rollover...

    Jun 23, 2022  

More news
  • Sega Sammy to launch Genesis Crest 43J cabinet in Asia
    Sega Sammy to launch Genesis Crest 43J...

    Jul 01, 2022  

  • Macau monthly GGR for June worst since Sept 2020
    Macau monthly GGR for June worst since...

    Jul 01, 2022  


Latest News

Sega Sammy to launch Genesis Crest 43J cabinet in Asia

Sega Sammy to launch Genesis Crest 43J cabinet in Asia

Jul 01, 2022  

Casino equipment supplier Sega Sammy Creation Inc said in a Friday release it was debuting its Genesis Crest 43J cabinet in Asia. The product will be available at an in-person trade show, G2E Asia:...
Read More
Macau monthly GGR for June worst since Sept 2020

Macau monthly GGR for June worst since Sept 2020

Jul 01, 2022  

Kangwon 2021 average bet 61pct above foreigner casinos

Kangwon 2021 average bet 61pct above foreigner casinos

Jul 01, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


638

Aggregate number of Covid-19 cases in the latest Macau outbreak, as of Thursday-end



Most Popular

  • Macau tells casinos cut on-duty staff by 90pct: reportsMacau tells casinos cut on-duty staff by 90pct: reports July 1, 2022
  • 5-casino Thai market ok says National Assembly committee5-casino Thai market ok says National Assembly committee June 30, 2022
  • GKL says no biz lift soon from S.Korea-Japan travel easingGKL says no biz lift soon from S.Korea-Japan travel easing July 1, 2022
  • Macau monthly GGR for June worst since Sept 2020Macau monthly GGR for June worst since Sept 2020 July 1, 2022
  • Universal hopes Okada Manila biz listed before Sept 30Universal hopes Okada Manila biz listed before Sept 30 June 30, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us