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The Call @ Hedgeye | March 19, 2024

MACAO CASINO OPERATORS BACK GOVERNMENT’S CALL TO REGULATE GAMING DEVELOPMENT English.cri.cn

WYNN SAYS MACAU GAMBLING LIMITS WIL BENEFIT CITY’S CASINOS Bloomberg.com

The six licensed casino operators in Macao voiced their support for local government’s intention to further regulate the development of the local gaming industry.  The operators agree with the government’s aim to prevent over-expansion without restriction.  Executive representatives from all of the concessionaires attended a meeting with officials from the Macao Special Administrative Region government, discussing issues concerning the gaming industry.

The long-term aim of the local government is to have a diversified economy in Macau.  This year the government has already moved to regulate the VIP gaming market by bringing in a junket commission cap.  The SAR government is also said to be drafting new laws and rules concerning the age limit of persons entering local casinos and the location of slot machine halls.  The proposed bill will preclude persons under the age of twenty-one from entering, or working at, local casinos, and gaming operators will also be forbidden from setting up new slot machine halls in local neighborhoods.  Plans to limit the number of tables in the market, subject to an ongoing government review of the number of tables in Macau, are also in place.  Steve Wynn views the policy as “a good idea”. 

 

ISLAND OF QUEMOY MULLS TAIWAN’S FIRST CASINOS scmp.com

Quemoy is considering building Taiwan’s first casinos.  A petition was collected by the head of Quemoy’s Democratic Progressive Party, calling for a referendum on the issue.   The opportunity being pitched by pro-gambling lobbyists is to transform the island from an undeveloped island controlled by the military and into a tourist destination for millions of mainlanders just 20 nautical miles away.

There is certainly not consensus on the issue in Quemoy.  The debate will be as heatedly contested as it was in Penghu, where voters unexpectedly rejected a proposal to allow gambling.  Even if a referendum is called and the people vote in favor of gambling, the decision would then go to the Taipei government, which is also divided over the issue.

MACAU VISITOR ARRIVALS DURING NATIONAL DAY GOLDEN WEEK asiatraveltrips.com

During the China National Day Golden Week, from October 1 to October 7, the average occupancy rate of three-to-five star hotels in Macau reached 87.3%, 5.6% higher than the same period of 2008.  The average room rate of three-to-five star hotels was 1,226 patacas, up 15.5% y-o-y.  The number of mainland visitors coming to Macau during the National Day Golden week was 420,000, a 2.12% increase y-o-y.