The Macau Metro Monitor, March 23rd, 2010
MACAU MARCH GAMBLING REVENUE ON TRACK FOR RECORD-SOURCE Reuters
According to an anonymous source, gambling revenue in Macau soared close to HK$13 billion ($1.68 billion) for the first three weeks of March, similar to the levels achieved in February. SJM Holdings retained the biggest share of the market, at around 30%, while Sands China was second with around 20%.
MACAU'S GDP GREW 1.3% IN 2009 macaubusiness.com
Macau GDP grew 1.3% in 2009. Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen, attributed the better than expected GDP performance to a substantial increase in gaming receipts in the last quarter of 2009. Tam believes a gaming revenue recovery and a growth in both private investment and consumption will boost GDP further this year. However, he added that it is not expected that the casino industry growth will be as sharp in the future as it has been in the last years, with the exception of 2009.
LAW CHANGES AHEAD macaubusiness.com
"The government is preparing to outlaw slot-machine parlors in residential areas--existing venues will have to move," said Secretary Tam, on the first day of the debate of the 2010 Policy Address for Economy and Finance areas. Other gaming controls under consideration include raising minimum age to 21, money laundering and terrorism financing at the local casinos, and an audit of gaming operators at year end.
MACAU VISITOR ARRIVALS SURGE IN FEBRUARY RTT News
Total visitor arrivals to Macau surged 24.4% YoY to 2.06 million in February, attributable to the long Lunar New Year holidays, the Statistics and Census Service said on Tuesday. Surging 38.1% annually to 1.15 million, mainland China visitors accounted for 55% of all visitor arrivals.
PROPERTY INVESTMENT SCHEME OFFERS RESIDENCY TO 50,000 macaubusiness.com
''About'' 50,000 people obtained their right to temporary residency in Macau through the property investment scheme, according to the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). CEO Chui said last week that the property investment scheme had already achieved its goals. He added the government will study an overall makeover on the population and immigration policies.