Macau Official: Casino Snack Changes Unimpactful

The Macao Government Tourism Office’s deputy director, Ricky Hoi Io Meng, has stated that changes to the custom of local casinos offering free snacks and beverages on gaming floors “are unlikely to have a significant impact on visitors.”

After hearing about a government investigation into casinos giving away free food and drinks on social media some weeks prior, GGRAsia contacted the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau but got no answer. Giving away free food and beverages seems to have become more common this year.

According to Mr. Hoi, “I have no comment on these new methods,” during an interview with TDM, a local public broadcaster, But he did note, “We haven’t witnessed a decline in the number of tourists in comparison to the past two weekends. Thus, I think that modifications to the snacks offered at casinos shouldn’t have a significant impact on patrons.”

“The majority of tourists visiting Macau are not primarily attracted by free snacks offered in casinos,” Mr. Hoi emphasized.

Meanwhile, mainland Chinese influencers have been giving advice to potential tourists to Macau on how to have a cheap time in the city by taking advantage of deals or free food offered by nearby restaurants.

The local food and drink trade organization linked the rise in sales at city eateries in last month’s Macao Daily to the elimination of free snacks from casino floors.

Additionally, Mr. Hoi talked about attempts to stop what he called “illegal tours,” which included keeping an eye on places like the Border Gate immigration crossing into Zhuhai, Guangdong province, and well-known tourist destinations like St. Paul’s Ruins that unapproved tour groups should visit.

Working together with Macao’s Public Security Police, as well as utilizing communication lines with authorities in nearby Hong Kong and mainland China, were the requirements of these activities.

Original Story by: GGRAsia