Run-in to new Macau gambling laws

The Macau Legislative Assembly is due to consider further changes to the territory’s new gambling bill tomorrow as rules covering casinos are tightened.

The current operators in Macau will see their licences expire this year and the new regulations will lay down the formula for the future of gambling in the territory.

The number of new licences will be capped at six – the current holders are Wynn Macau, Sands China, MGM China, SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment and Melco Resorts. The proposals include the limiting of their licences to 10 years, halving the current situation.

Tomorrow a standing committee will have a final meeting on the subject before submitting an opinion to the assembly, which will then be discussed and voted upon five days later.

Among the rules is a provision that licensees and their shareholders with more than a five per cent share must not directly hold shares in another concessionaire, but they can hold them indirectly.