The Macau Metro Monitor, March 29th, 2010
JAPAN EYES TOURIST-ONLY CASINOS macaubusiness.com
According to The Times, prefectures across Japan are investigating the feasibility of ending their bans on casinos, but only for tourists. In Japan, betting is legal on horse, bicycle and power-boat racing. There is also a national lottery and the country’s highly-lucrative 14,700 pachinko outlets. Las Vegas Sands has expressed interest in the Japanese market.
VIVA MACAU GROUNDED macaubusiness.com
The Macau government today revoked Viva Macau’s air operator certificate, following a row between the airline and Nam Kwong Oil, who refused to supply any more fuel to its fleet. The government commented, “Due to Viva Macau’s failure in fulfilling its commercial responsibilities and repeated infringement of public interests, the Macau government, after very careful consideration of the negative impact to Macau’s tourism industry, requested Air Macau to terminate the sub-concession contract with Viva Macau in order to protect public interests. Air Macau consented to the request of the government." The government has meanwhile tried to rebook stranded passengers on alternative flights, while helping Macau residents stranded abroad. Total number of people affected by the end of Viva Macau’s operations is still unclear.