• 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

Royal Dragon Casino opens in Macau with 20 gaming tables

Sep 27, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Royal Dragon Casino opens in Macau with 20 gaming tables

The Royal Dragon Casino and its hotel opened on Wednesday morning in the downtown district of Macau. The city’s gaming regulator confirmed to GGRAsia on Wednesday afternoon – via a phone call responding to our enquiry – that 20 gaming tables had been relocated from elsewhere in Macau to the new casino. It didn’t clarify from where.

GGRAsia additionally asked the local regulator – the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, also known by its Portuguese-language acronym DICJ – to clarify whether Royal Dragon counted as a “new” Macau casino, or was taking over the rights of an existing one. The gaming bureau didn’t elaborate on that point. It had previously confirmed to us that Royal Dragon Casino was operating under the licence of Macau operator SJM Holdings Ltd. That company has not commented on the matter, despite several requests by GGRAsia.

It had been widely understood locally that Macau had a moratorium, introduced in 2008 during the time of Macau’s first chief executive, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, on so-called service agreements – where third-party investors piggyback on the licence of one of the existing six operators. The moratorium was flagged as being designed to limit market expansion.

Chan Meng Kam (pictured), introduced during Wednesday’s opening ceremony as chairman of Hotel Royal Dragon, told local media that the casino tables in the new property were mass-market ones relocated from either the nearby Casino Golden Dragon – also run by Mr Chan – or other casinos of SJM Holdings. He didn’t identify which ones.

“The venue was designed to house 25 gaming tables. We are going to open first and will review the number of gaming tables later,” he said.

Mr Chan also revealed that the investment for the casino hotel was approximately MOP1.5 billion (US$186.5 million). A press release issued on the day said the facility had 144 hotel rooms designated of three-star standard.

Among the guests at the venue’s opening was Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, chairman of Macau VIP gaming investor Suncity Group.

Paulo Martins Chan, DICJ director, told local media as late as Tuesday morning this week that the authority was still processing the application to have gaming tables transferred to Royal Dragon Casino.

Early on Tuesday evening, online Chinese media outlet All About Macau posted a report saying the government had approved the relocation of 20 gaming tables to the new property.

During Wednesday’s launch, Royal Dragon’s Mr Chan was asked by local media to comment on what he thought should happen in the run up to when the concessions of the six current Macau operators expire on various dates in either 2020 or 2022. A number of investment analysts covering the Macau industry have suggested that early clarification from the Macau authorities on this topic would be helpful.

“There are only two to three years left until 2020. The government should pick up the speed to initiate, study the matter and make arrangements”, said Royal Dragon’s Mr Chan, adding the Macau government should consider increasing the number of gaming concessionaires in the future.

He stated: “I think [the Macau gaming market] should be opened further… The government should consider [how many gaming licences to add].”

But he added he was “not yet interested in” bidding for a standalone licence.

Currently, Mr Chan controls three casinos, namely Casino Golden Dragon and Casino Royal Dragon on Macau peninsula – both via the licence of SJM Holdings – and Casino Taipa Square on Taipa, making use the casino licence of Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd.

(Updated 6.25pm, September 27)


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Investor urges MGM Resorts to sell 20pct of Macau unit
    Investor urges MGM Resorts to sell...

    Jan 07, 2021  

  • DICJ deputy director steps down, takes unpaid leave
    DICJ deputy director steps down, takes...

    Jan 06, 2021  

More news
  • Melco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’s
    Melco likely to take on more debt for...

    Jan 20, 2021  

  • Visitors stayed longer in Macau in 2020, says govt
    Visitors stayed longer in Macau in...

    Jan 20, 2021  


Latest News

Melco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’s

Melco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’s

Jan 20, 2021  

Moody’s Investors Service Inc says it expects the ratio of adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of Macau casino operators Melco Resorts and...
Read More
Visitors stayed longer in Macau in 2020, says govt

Visitors stayed longer in Macau in 2020, says govt

Jan 20, 2021  

Suntrust gets OK for unit handling hotel, tourism biz

Suntrust gets OK for unit handling hotel, tourism biz

Jan 20, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"The increased focus we can now bring to our gaming and amusement business [after a spin-off of the firm's cash-handling product business] will bring us closer to the customer as we align our offerings more directly with their needs"

Sim Bielak

Global president of casino equipment supplier SuzoHapp



Most Popular

  • CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observersCNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers January 15, 2021
  • Casino op MGM China to pay most staff discretionary bonusCasino op MGM China to pay most staff discretionary bonus January 18, 2021
  • Wynn and Melco also flag bonus for Macau staffWynn and Melco also flag bonus for Macau staff January 19, 2021
  • Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: BernsteinInvestors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: Bernstein January 19, 2021
  • Wakayama casino RFP deadline affirms still 2 suitorsWakayama casino RFP deadline affirms still 2 suitors January 18, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us