Introduction

In recent weeks, the discussion on the future of Macau's economic engine – the gaming industry – has intensified. This appears to have been on the agenda at the 17 May 2021 closed-door meeting between the secretary of economy and finance, the head of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau and the members of the Legislative Assembly Commission on Public Concessions.

Gaming concession (and subconcession) contracts are due to expire on 26 June 2022. Before then, the government must:

  • prepare a proposal to amend Law 16/2001 (the Gaming Law) for public consultation;
  • initiate the public consultation on the amendments;
  • approve the amendments at the Legislative Assembly level;
  • initiate the public tender (if that is the option);
  • award the concessions; and
  • initiate operations under the new concession contracts.

This begs the question of whether there is sufficient time to complete these steps, especially since there will be a new Legislative Assembly following the elections scheduled for September 2021.

However, an even more important question is what approach the government will take in terms of public policy.(1)

Current public policy

The current public policy is set out in Article 1.2 of the Gaming Law, which establishes the legal framework for the operation of fortune and chance games in casinos. This legal framework aims to ensure that:

  • fortune and chance games in casinos are operated adequately;
  • those involved in the supervision, management and operation of fortune and chance games in casinos are suitable to perform such roles and assume such responsibilities;
  • the exploitation and operation of fortune and chance games in casinos is conducted in a manner which is fair, honest and free from criminal influence;
  • Macau's interests in collecting taxes from the operation of the games are met; and
  • Macau's tourism, social stability and economic development needs are met.

Of these five aims, the most important is the appropriate protection of Macau's interests in collecting taxes from the operation of these games.

The criteria(2) used to select the concessionaires from the candidates that participated in the international public tender in 2001 also suggest that these taxes are a key part of Macau public policy. Unlike the above list of public policies, the list of selection criteria was itemised hierarchically as follows:

  • premium amount;
  • amount of contributions;
  • applicant's experience operating games, undertaking ancillary activities and managing casinos;
  • proposals for investment deemed to be of interest to Macau, especially the development of integrated resorts;
  • enhancement of gaming areas, with special emphasis on the diversification of tourism products; and
  • contribution to the development of employment in the gaming sector, as well as professional training.

Macau's 2007 policy address stated that the region's economic development model needed to undergo a transformation with regard to the gaming industry (namely, there should be a special focus on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), and that Macau should be an international tourism and leisure destination.(3)

Public policy for a fresh era

Due to the cross-boundary travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Macau's economy and the model underpinning it must change. At the end of 2020, the region's gross gaming revenue (GGR) was down 79.3% year on year,(4) with a total annual GGR of MPtc65.44 billion ($7.57 billion).

This has surely influenced the government officials evaluating which amendments to the Gaming Law should be proposed to the Legislative Assembly.

Macau's general public policy on gaming likely need not be redefined by the government. It exists and has been implemented successfully. What Macau needs is good public policies for a fresh era. Essentially, the existing policies must be refined in order to address possible problems and future challenges.

Notwithstanding the apparent failure to achieve one of its goals (ie, for Macau to be an international world-class tourism destination), and taking for granted the fact that the current public policies of the Gaming Law will remain in force beyond 2022, the following amendments should be made:

  • Macau's economy should be diversified and the region should be integrated into the Greater Bay Area.
  • The public education system should be developed and qualified job opportunities should be created in order to attract fresh talent.
  • Macau should be transformed into an international world-class tourism, cultural and entertainment destination.
  • Concessionaires' corporate social responsibility should be enhanced.

As regards the criteria for awarding the concessions, the government should consider not only the amount of the premium or contributions to be paid, but also:

  • proposals for investment in the Greater Bay Area, with respect to the creation of an international world-class tourism destination and recognising Macau's unique cultural and social resources;
  • proposals for investments to create new tourism source markets;
  • contributions to the long-term welfare of Macau residents;
  • the enhancement of gaming innovation and the creation of an innovative technology centre;
  • contributions to public education policies and attracting international talent; and
  • corporate and social responsibility plans.

Legal framework for extending current concessions

Article 13 of the Gaming Law states that each concession (and, consequently, subconcession) applies for 20 years.

Where a concession is awarded for less than 20 years, the government may, at any time up to six months before the end of the concession period, extend it, provided that it does not exceed 20 years.

This was the case of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, SA (SJM) (and, consequently, MGM Grand Paradise, SA (MGM)), whose concession was extended on 15 March 2019 until 26 June 2022. This means that SJM (and MGM) received an extension under Article 13.2 of the Gaming Law (extending the term to 20 years, up to 31 March 2022), as well as a special extension under Article 13.3 of the law, which states that once the 20 years has expired, the chief executive may extend the concession, one or more times, for a maximum of five years. This special extension may change the terms and conditions of the concession contracts – an amendment to the concession and subconcession contracts of SJM and MGM, respectively, was announced in March 2019.

Comment

There is a lot at stake in terms of the future of Macau's biggest (and sole) industry. To be competitive at the international level, the government must first state its intentions for the future of the industry, of which some of the proposals mentioned above must surely be part. Only after defining the public policy will it be possible to implement the legislative tools needed to achieve the defined goals.

Considering the tight timeline, and despite the fact that an extension has been foreseen since 2019, the government should put off any tender plans that it may have in order to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and, in particular, attract new players which may be interested in having a piece of Macau's gaming industry pie. As has been seen in the past, the law states that the public interest should be taken into consideration when granting extensions.

Endnotes

(1) See Cabot, Anthony, "Public Policy and Policy Goals", Regulating Land-Based Casinos, Cabot, Anthony, Pindell, Ngai and Wall, Brian (eds) at 5 (2nd ed, UNLV Gaming Press, 2018) ("public policy is more narrowly defined as the broad principles (or concerns) that a government espouses as the basis for regulating casino gaming").

(2) Established in Chief Executive Order 217/2001, 2 November 2001.

(3) Macau Policy Address for 2007: "the Government will further nurture and support industries with high potential, such as the convention and exhibitions industry."

(4) Monthly gross revenue is available on the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau's website.