Gov’t delegate not to impact operations – gaming watchdog

October 25, 2021 Crime & Legal

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) stated that the possible appointment of a Government representative to the casino concessionaires in the future, as proposed in the gaming law revision consultation paper, will not affect the business operations.

After stressing that having Government representatives in holders of concessions is nothing new to Macau – – gaming was an exception so far – DICJ deputy director Lio Chi Chong told participants in a public consultation session on the gaming law revision held on Saturday that “the fact that there may or not be a Government representative it will not affect the business operations”, as reported by TDM Canal Macau.

The main purpose of the regulator is to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the gaming industry, Mr Lio underlined, as the Government is keen on understanding the different opinions on the matter.

Another proposed change on the table is to increase in the percentage of share capital held by shareholders of concessionaires who are Macau permanent residents. In another consultation session – held on Sunday – DICJ explained the rationale behind the suggestion. “Considering that we want in the future incentivize the operators to focus their activity in Macau, we recommend that the concessionaires increase the proportion of these shareholders also to make it easier for the SAR to verify these shareholders’ suitability”, DICJ Head of Legal Department Hoi Song U said, as reported by TDM.