GOV’T TO ASSUME FULL-TIME CONTROL OVER GAMING TABLES NUMBER, FIRM ON REGULATING ‘SATELLITE CASINOS’

March 8, 2022 Macau Crime & Legal Industry Updates

The government has firmly reaffirmed its intention to be able to reduce the number of gaming tables and slot machines available at local casinos at any point in time, representatives said yesterday during a meeting with the members of the Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly.

The same representatives reaffirmed the intention of the government to enforce the regulations over the so-called “satellite casinos,” to ensure that they operate according to the laws concerning the ownership of the venues where they are installed and operating.

This was the third meeting between the committee members and representatives of the government to discuss the specialty of the provisions in the new gaming law before its final version goes to the plenary for final voting.

According to the president of the committee, lawmaker Chan Chak Mo, during yesterday’s two and a half-hour meeting the only item in discussion was Article 5 of the law that concerns the venues where gambling activities can take place.

Chan noted that while some voices among the lawmakers say that it would be best if the government amends this article, which allows casinos to operate in privately owned properties or buildings located on land plots with a commercial purpose other than gaming, the government does not agree in taking any step backward. He instead reaffirmed that all gaming operating venues must be under the direct ownership of the gaming concessionaires which operate them, and that in case of the revocation, cancelation, or expiration of the concession, these assets would revert to the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).