Macau encourages concessionaires to use RFID technology

Lei Wai Nong, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, approved the government’s recommendation on Tuesday to urge concessionaires to employ RFID technology to track how much money international casino clients bet.

This move comes after the government declared at the end of 2022 that concessionaires in Macau would be qualified for a tax rebate of up to 5% on gross gaming earnings if they were able to draw in overseas gamblers, in addition to regulatory limitations.

Initially, concessionaires set up special gaming areas for visitors from other countries so they could monitor how much money these patrons bet. However, President and CEO of MGM Resorts, Bill Hornbuckle, revealed that these locations did not attract the expected number of foreign visitors.

At a Legislative Assembly (AL) meeting on Monday night, Legislative Council member Ron Lam expressed concerns regarding international gamblers. Lei was motivated by this to reiterate that concessionaires are required by law to install RFID gaming technology on their casino floors.

Lei went on to say that in order to make it easier for international gamblers to calculate their wagers, the government is also building pertinent equipment. The system will be supervised and approved by the government.

Many Macau concessionaires have already adopted smart table systems; MGM set the benchmark by introducing the technology in 2018.

Walker Digital Table Systems’ RFID system is apparently going to be used by five of Macau’s six concessionaires, one of whom is looking into Angel’s technology.

According to a recent report by investment firm Morgan Stanley, “MGM’s competitors will take some time to fully optimize their systems after installation, suggesting that MGM’s advantage will be maintained until at least the end of 2024.”

Original story by: IAG