"As for the scope of intervention, activity and in relation to criminal and administrative offences, at least these three aspects have been strengthened," said Executive Council spokesman André Cheong at a press conference.
The proposed law creates "an improved mechanism for verifying suitability," defines "obligations and responsibilities among the entities subject to supervision to prevent the practice of various types of illicit acts," he indicated.
The new text complements the proposed law "Legal Regime for the exploitation of gambling in casinos", which is currently under discussion in the Legislative Assembly, to regulate the public tender for gaming licenses and the activity of concessionaires.
"For the casino gambling sector to develop in a sustainable and healthy way," the Administrative Region Government "is gradually improving the legal regime related to gambling", added André Cheong, also Secretary for Administration and Justice.
In addition to these two "fundamental diplomas", with a view to "improvement and optimization of the sector", the Government may "have to edit administrative regulations or other necessary normative acts in the future,” he said.
Only after the deputies approve the "Legal Regime for the exploitation of gambling in casinos", will the Executive proceed with a bidding process to assign new gambling licenses.
For this reason, the Secretary for the Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, had announced earlier this month that Macau would allow the extension, for another six months, until December 31, 2022, of the current gaming licenses.
The director of the Gaming Coordination Inspection (DICJ), Adriano Ho, confirmed during the press conference that all Macau concessionaires have already submitted a proposal to extend gaming licenses.
In Macau, there are three concessionaires, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), Galaxy and Wynn, and three sub-concessionaires, Venetian, MGM and Melco.
Due to the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, casinos in Macau ended 2021 with revenues of 9.5 billion euros, a decrease of 70.3% compared to 2019.
Gambling accounts for around 80% of government revenue and 55.5% of Macau's gross domestic product (GDP), in an industry that employs more than 80,000 people, that is, 17.23% of the employed population.
In the last eight years, Macau, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, has gone from 11 to the current 42 casinos and generates significantly more revenue than the gambling industry in Las Vegas in the United States.
Source: RTP
