Macau Cracks Down on Free Casino Snacks to Help Local Businesses

The owners of Macau’s casinos are under pressure from the government to reduce or stop providing free food to patrons.

This program aims to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the area that might be losing customers as a result of the free food provided by the casino.

Some casinos have already ceased providing free food, while others are still doing so, according to social media accounts.

Although the plan has not yet been made public by the Macau government, industry insiders predict a cut will happen soon.

Following the outbreak, casinos implemented free food policies in addition to free transportation to draw in customers.

But concerns mounted that mainland visitors were abusing these offers and failing to spend money at neighborhood eateries and shops.

The Macau Association for Responsible Gaming’s president, Billy Song, predicts that casinos will alter their complimentary snack rules.

While acknowledging the usefulness of free food in attracting customers, he stresses the need to find a balance between this and patronizing regional businesses.

This action coincides with the increasing popularity of “zero-dollar tours,” in which visitors take advantage of free transportation, free drinks, and free gambling while visiting Macau.

Original Story by: Inside Asian Gaming