• 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

Tougher smoking rules could come in March: Macau govt

Dec 30, 2014 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Tougher smoking rules could come in March: Macau govt

The Macau government could announce in March new tightening to the partial smoking ban in casinos, the new Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng (pictured) said on Monday.

He oversees the Health Bureau, the body responsible for implementing public policy on smoking in gaming venues.

Mr Tam told reporters he had already requested a report from the Health Bureau on the citywide implementation of smoking restrictions, first enacted in 2012. The report is due next month.

The new secretary, who was sworn into office on December 20, added that he would also discuss the issue with casino bosses and employee representatives.

Following those discussions, Mr Tam said he expected the government could announce changes in March to the smoking rules. That would coincide with Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On’s 2015 policy address speech outlining the government’s administrative and regulatory plans.

Mr Tam noted that the government’s long-term goal is to implement a full smoking ban in all gambling venues, including casinos and slot-machine parlours. But he didn’t provide a timetable for it.

He however added that the ongoing decline in monthly casino gross gaming revenue – which started in June – would not be an obstacle in implementing a full smoking ban in casinos. “The health of gaming employees will not be compromised by the drop in gaming revenues,” Mr Tam stated.

A smoking ban in public places was introduced in Macau in 2012 and partially extended to gaming venues in January 2013. Casinos and slot parlours were initially allowed to have up to half of their overall gaming floors dedicated to smoking areas with gaming.

Under rule changes enacted on October 6, smoking on casino main floors is now only allowed in enclosed smoking rooms that do not contain any gaming tables or slot machines. But puffing a cigarette while gambling is still allowed in VIP rooms.

Mr Tam’s comments came after meeting with representatives from the influential Macau Federation of Trade Unions, the city’s largest labour platform, and the affiliated Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff Association.

The federation is a strong advocate of a full smoking ban in the city’s casinos. It published the results of a survey earlier this month which concluded that three in four casino workers (78 percent) in Macau don’t want to work in smoking areas, even if casino operators provide them extra incentives.

Ella Lei Cheng I, vice president of the executive committee of the Federation of Trade Unions, pointed out after meeting with Mr Tam that the current smoking rules fail to protect the health of casino employees. Ms Lei, who is also a lawmaker, urged the government rapidly to introduce a full smoking ban in casinos.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau Covid-19 ‘risk’ status lifted: health official
    Macau Covid-19 ‘risk’ status...

    Nov 03, 2022  

  • Macau ready to receive mainland group tours in Nov: MGTO
    Macau ready to receive mainland group...

    Oct 28, 2022  

More news
  • Lam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO Resorts World Sentosa
    Lam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO...

    Jun 02, 2023  

  • China stimulus package could benefit Macau stocks: CBRE
    China stimulus package could benefit...

    Jun 02, 2023  


Latest News

Lam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO Resorts World Sentosa

Lam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO Resorts World Sentosa

Jun 02, 2023  

Genting Singapore Ltd says Lam Yi Young has resigned from his role as deputy chief executive of Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd. The latter firm is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Genting...
Read More
China stimulus package could benefit Macau stocks: CBRE

China stimulus package could benefit Macau stocks: CBRE

Jun 02, 2023  

G2E Asia 2023: Singapore

  • 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


US$8.1 billion

Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue in the five months to May 31



Most Popular

  • Lam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO Resorts World SentosaLam Yi Young resigns as deputy CEO Resorts World Sentosa June 2, 2023
  • MBS en route to US$500mln quarterly EBITDA: LVS bossMBS en route to US$500mln quarterly EBITDA: LVS boss June 1, 2023
  • China stimulus package could benefit Macau stocks: CBREChina stimulus package could benefit Macau stocks: CBRE June 2, 2023

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