The Macau Metro Monitor, July 18, 2011
Q2 GAMING STATISTICS DICJ
Number of gaming tables increased by 384 to 5,237 at the end of 2Q 2011. Number of slot machines increased 1,311 QoQ to 15,098 in Q2.
SANDS CHINA ASKS FOR FREEZING OF LAWSUIT FILED BY FIRED CEO Macau Business
Sands China attorneys has asked for the Jacobs case to be put on hold until the result of its appeal, filed to the Nevada Supreme Court, is known. The appeal states that Sands China, as a Chinese company, is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Nevada court.
Sands China says it would have to spend up to US$1 million (MOP8 million) finding and sorting information to comply with Jacobs’ discovery requests, which includes information on junket operators and their associates. Sands China argues that if the case is not put on hold, Jacobs will be in possession of relevant information that he can use afterwards if the Nevada Supreme Court approves Sands China’s appeal.
MONTHLY BREAKDOWN OF PASSENGER MOVEMENTS Changi Airport Group
The passenger traffic at Changi Airport increased 10.8% YoY and 6.3% MoM in June 2011.
PONTE 16 STILL WAITING FOR GOVT APPROVAL FOR MALL Macau Daily Times
Hoffman Ma Ho Man, the deputy CEO of Ponte 16, says he is still waiting for government approval to go ahead with a 400,000-square-foot retail complex at Ponte 16 for about HK$1.07 billion. “We are now in talks with some retail operators in Japan and Hong Kong and Taiwan. But we have not yet received permission from the Macau government. Construction work and preservation work need a lot more fine-tuning than just opening a new shopping mall. We are hoping to get the nod within this year,” Ma said.
HONG KONG RESIDENTS SPEND HKD 23 BLN IN LOCAL CASINOS Macau Daily Times
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) says Hong Kong people gambled up to HKD 23 BN in Macau in 2010, which would be the 2nd largest gambling segment in Macau after the Mainland Chinese.
HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said he hoped the Hong Kong Government would consider lowering gaming tax rates to help enhance the overall competitiveness of the club. HKJC pays a 50-75% tax on football betting and horse racing receipts, while the total gaming tax in Macau is 37-40% of gross receipts.
