The Macau Metro Monitor, November 26, 2012
NEW RULES FOR SLOTS TO BE ENACTED TOMORROW Macau Business
The new set of rules on slot machines was published today in the Official Gazette. The bylaw, which oversees the location of slot parlours and several technical issues, will be enacted tomorrow.
The rules open the way for mobile gambling using wireless networks, but “only inside gambling areas especially authorized” by the gaming regulator. The bylaw also stipulates that slot parlours are only to be located inside five-star hotels, in non-residential buildings located within a 500-metre range of a casino or within a resort “not integrated in a densely populated area”.
The government has one year to adopt “adequate measures” to solve the issue of slot parlours located in residential areas, the bylaw states. According to Secretary Tam, the new rules will impact half of the 11 slot parlours currently operating outside casinos.
The bylaw also states that gaming manufacturers that want to supply their products in Macau must be authorized by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. It adds that all slot machines must have a minimum return to player ratio of between 80% and 98%.
Starting January, gaming manufacturers can only supply products compliant with the new bylaw. Gaming concessionaires are offered a six-month period starting from tomorrow to replace or fix all non-compliant slot machines in their casinos. Gaming operators must also inform the gaming regulator at least 20 days before they install a new jackpot or linked jackpot.
ANGELA LEONG CALLS FOR COMPLETE SMOKING-BAN IN CASINOS Macau Daily Times
SJM managing director Angela Leong On Kei proposed that an all-inclusive smoking ban should be imposed on casinos instead of the current partial one. She expected limited impacts on the gaming business if proper publicity is carried out. Leong opted for a thorough ban instead of the partial ban, which she said is difficult for casinos to enforce because they operate round the clock and because of insufficient publicity that she worried might cause disputes between casino-goers and managers. Some legislators immediately expressed support for the recommendation.