Ahead of the renewal bidding process of gaming concessions, which will expire on 26 June 2022

Macau to launch public consultation on gaming law in 2nd half of the year

The anticipated public consultation, which was originally scheduled to take place last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was postponed to the second half of 2021.
2021-05-12
Reading time 1:31 min
The aim of this request is to generate interlinked, mutual economic benefits for casino operators and local small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). The head of Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said the casinos should take the leading role to steer local SMEs towards a growth trajectory.

As the public consultation over the proposed amendments to gaming legislation will start in the second half of this year, Macau's government is setting the ground for the renewal bidding process of gaming concessions, confirmed Adriano Marques Ho, director of the Gaming Inspection, and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).

Lawmaker Ho Ion Sang questioned DICJ if the bureau’s authorities would consider incorporating a new gaming law to improve regulate corporate social responsibilities and non-gaming efforts of Macau’s casino operators. In order to ensure the economic benefits received by the casinos can trickle down to local society, he explained.

The director of DICJ answered in a written reply that the SAR government will evaluate the feasibility of this suggestion after listening to public opinions from all walks of life through the upcoming consultation sessions. As he urged casino conglomerates to forge a closer partnership with local small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), to source the products of SMEs, and allow these businesses to set up premises in the casino properties.

The aim of this request is to generate interlinked, mutual economic benefits for both casino operators and SMEs. The head of DICJ said the casinos should take the leading role to steer local SMEs towards a growth trajectory. The DICJ has been monitoring the data provided by casino operators to ensure they have tied in with SMEs as suggested, according to Macau Daily Times.

Macau’s six gaming concessions and sub-concessions will expire on June 26, 2022.

In his 2021 Policy Address, Macau’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng made clear that the endeavor to amend the current gaming law is one of the nine legislations he is stringing to uplift under his tenure, and promised that he would employ a public consultation to make the most appropriate modifications to the city’s gaming law.

The anticipated public consultation, which was originally scheduled to take place last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was postponed to the second half of 2021.

Lawmaker Ho Ion Sang commented that he remains doubtful as to whether the draft legislation can be submitted to the Legislative Assembly this year.

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