Macau reviews casino laws

Macau could set changes on current casino legislation, including international process for operations.

The government of Macau has began an assessment on the current casino industry in order to plan further changes for next year. Authorities could soon propose a different gaming legislation for casino operations, including international process for leading brands, such as American companies like Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts.

“The government will review and strengthen the gaming rules,” Macau chief executive Fernando Chui said in his annual policy address on Tuesday, as revealed by local officials. The new legislation will be also focused on casino operators’ compliance with non-gaming commitments for the community, related to improving society’s opportunities.

Furthermore, the proposal could also include a legislation on licensing junket operators, representing one of Macau’s biggest profits as they bring high-roller players to internationally renowned casinos. “The government will also regulate junket operations, promote responsible gaming and boost the Macau casino industry’s competitiveness,” stated Chui.

As casinos are Macau’s main funding, legislators are debating potential outcomes of new legislation. “Clearly there is a focus on non-gaming on the part of the government, but I think the operators were going to get there anyway,” explained yesterday to Business Time newspaper Grant Govertsen, an analyst with Macau-based Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd.