Macau tightens casino licences in the biggest reform of betting laws in the world’s biggest gambling hub
Macau’s government will halve the duration of casino licences and slash their extension periods in the biggest reform of betting laws in 20 years, as it steers the only city that allows legalised gambling on Chinese soil to diversify.
Six casino licences will be kept, but their duration will be slashed to 10 years with up to three years of maximum extension at the government’s discretion, from 20 years with five-year extensions, according to a plan announced on Friday by the city’s government.
The changes were made “to promote the healthy development of Macau’s gaming industry, improve the regulation of the industry and to prevent the possible negative effects of gambling”, said Macau’s Secretary for Administration and Justice Cheong Weng-chon during a media briefing.