• 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

UnionPay ATM changes might hit casino rev: Macau govt

May 12, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


UnionPay ATM changes might hit casino rev: Macau govt

Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong Vai Tac (pictured), has admitted that the city’s casino earnings might be negatively affected by the planned new customer verification technology at local automated teller machines (ATMs).

Holders of Chinese mainland-issued China UnionPay Co Ltd cards that wish to use them for cash withdrawal at Macau ATMs will soon have to present their identity card and pass a facial recognition scan.

Mr Leong told reporters on Thursday that he noted the new technology might have some influence on visitor behaviour, particularly regarding their spending in casinos. He expected it might take some time for visitors to get used to the new measure.

Mr Leong noted in his comments to reporters that the new technology was to prevent people from misusing such cash withdrawal facilities. Mr Leong confirmed that the new ATM machines with face recognition and identity card-reading technology would be gradually introduced into the market.

The primary phase covered ATMs in or near casinos, said Mr Leong.

Ambrose So Shu Fai, chief executive of Macau casino operator SJM Holdings Ltd, told media on Monday that he anticipated “minimal impact” to the city’s casino earnings from the announced UnionPay ATM changes.

Casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Macau rose by 16.3 percent year-on-year in April, to MOP20.16 billion (US$2.52 billion), according to data from the city’s regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. It meant the Macau market’s GGR tally for the first four months of 2017 stood at MOP83.64 billion, a year-on-year expansion of 13.8 percent.

Commenting on the new ATM measure on Monday, brokerage JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd said: “We do not expect the actual impact on [gaming] demand to be very meaningful, as there still are many other ‘channels’ – at least for now – that can help players/junkets to get cash in Macau, via pawnshops for example. That said, we can’t rule out any potential impact on ‘player psychology’, as some players/junkets may feel reluctant to use ATM cards given increased identity checks, so any progress in this area warrants close monitoring in our view.”

According to the results of a proprietary survey of 1,900 mainland China residents by brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd, published in January, many casino customers – particularly at the premium end – rely on cash withdrawals from bank accounts held in Macau or Hong Kong, and transactions via UnionPay bank cards, to fund their gambling.

When gambling respondents were asked about their preparations regarding cash to spend at casinos, the methods most frequently mentioned were bringing in cash and using UnionPay-enabled ATMs. Respectively, 49 percent and 46 percent of self-identified gambling trippers to Macau highlighted these methods. More than 20 percent of such trippers claimed to have access to either Hong Kong or Macau bank accounts, while pawnshops were utilised by nearly 20 percent of such respondents.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Tighter junket deposit controls flagged by Macau govt
    Tighter junket deposit controls flagged...

    Apr 09, 2018  

  • Macau probed 15 rogue UnionPay terminal cases in 2017
    Macau probed 15 rogue UnionPay terminal...

    Mar 28, 2018  

More news
  • Macau regulator approves Lucky 6 side bet for baccarat
    Macau regulator approves Lucky 6 side...

    Apr 25, 2018  

  • China lottery sales up 6pct March, 9pct for 1Q
    China lottery sales up 6pct March, 9pct...

    Apr 25, 2018  


Latest News

Macau regulator approves Lucky 6 side bet for baccarat

Macau regulator approves Lucky 6 side bet for baccarat

Apr 25, 2018  

Macau’s casino regulator has approved the introduction of a new betting option for the casino game of baccarat as it is offered in the local market. The announcement was published in the city’s...
Read More
China lottery sales up 6pct March, 9pct for 1Q

China lottery sales up 6pct March, 9pct for 1Q

Apr 25, 2018  

Konami wins Carnival Corp casino management tech deal

Konami wins Carnival Corp casino management tech deal

Apr 25, 2018  

Slideshow

Macau casinos celebrate Chinese New Year

Interviews

  • BMM prepped for Macau EGM regulation update: White
    BMM prepped for Macau EGM regulation update: White

    Jan 04, 2018  

    BMM Testlabs “ticks all the boxes” with regard to its...
  • Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam casino biz to watch: Klebanow
    Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam casino biz to watch: Klebanow

    Dec 08, 2017  

    The regulated casino industry is well versed in dealing...
  • Cloud services, e-Sports highlights of MGS 2017: Chun
    Cloud services, e-Sports highlights of MGS 2017: Chun

    Oct 23, 2017  

    The presence of some of the leading cloud computing...
  • Crunch time for Tokyo casino option: Caesars exec
    Crunch time for Tokyo casino option: Caesars exec

    Jul 11, 2017  

    The Tokyo local election setback for Japan’s governing...
  • Suncity bets on Vietnam, resurgent Macau VIP: Andrew Lo
    Suncity bets on Vietnam, resurgent Macau VIP: Andrew Lo

    Jul 06, 2017  

    A multibillion U.S. dollar casino project on Vietnam’s...

Pick of the Day

"As CEO, I am not interested in looking at the rear-view mirror… I am only focused in the future"

Matt Maddox

Chief executive of Wynn Resorts and Wynn Macau



Most Popular

  • Macau Legend plans min US$300-mln further Laos inputMacau Legend plans min US$300-mln further Laos input April 24, 2018
  • Wynn Macau Ltd profit doubles, peninsula revamp soonWynn Macau Ltd profit doubles, peninsula revamp soon April 25, 2018
  • Macau regulator approves Lucky 6 side bet for baccaratMacau regulator approves Lucky 6 side bet for baccarat April 25, 2018

Copyright 2017 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us