63
machines is vital.
Gaming ends 2008
“Since Macau does not have its own
with MOP10 billion
slot machine testing lab, we have to rely Macau’s gaming sector ended 2008
on international testing labs which have a
with revenue totalling MOP109.8
good reputation, to issue certification for
billion (13.7 billion uS dollars), with
slot machines in Macau. The purpose of
casinos generating the largest share
requesting certification is to ensure the
- MOP108.77 billion. Data from the
Gaming Inspection and Coordination
stability of slot machines operating on the
bureau, shows casino revenues rose by
gaming floor,’’ says Neves.
31 percent, an identical figure to that of
It is also important to make sure the whole sector, which includes horse
that everything works properly without
and dog racing, lotteries, basketball and
damaging the interests of the operator or
football betting. Outside the casinos,
player and without forgetting to ensure
gaming generated a gross revenue of one
the percentage return to player (RTP), the
billion patacas (uS$125 million). baccarat
alone – the territory’s most popular game
gaming regulator adds.
- was responsible for 87.17 percent of
They say that each slot machine is set
all casino revenues. The VIP market
at around 85 to 95 percent RTP, but Neves (high rollers or whales), generated 67.82
adds, “The exact percentage is to be de- percent and mass market 19.35 percent.
termined by the gaming operators them-
Throughout 2008, there were other
selves.”
significant revenue increases: about 90
However, the concerned gaming law-
percent in dog racing, reaching MOP186
million (uS$23.2 million); a 24 percent
yer says there is a need for more informa-
increase in horse racing; a little over 11
tion on what percentage RTP the slots
percent in football betting and nearly 30
have in the interests of transparency and
percent in basketball betting. revenues
also to create more informed players. from slot machines also rose sharply –
Neves says: “The exact percentage re-
over 57 percent - to a total of MOP5.6
turn to player is a matter for the individual
billion (uS$700 million uS dollars).
(casino) concessionaires. It is not currently
Quarterly analyses show that there was
mandated or regulated by DICJ. No regu-
a slwodown in casino gaming revenue
growth. The first three months generated
lated jurisdiction in the world publishes
MOP29.8 billion (uS$3.7 billion) while in
“exact” RTP percentages by operator.
the last quarter the revenues were just
“It is expected that any slot machine MOP24 billion (uS$3 billion), lower than
regulation which might be adopted by the last quarter of 2007 (MOP24.7 billion
Macau in future will make provision
or uS$3.08 billion). The same trend was
for both minimum and maximum RTP,
felt in the number of available tables and
possibly in the range of 80-97 percent.
slot machines. by the end of 2008, there
were 4,017 tables and 11,856 slots, less
Competition between concessionaires is
294 tables and 979 slot machines than in
maintaining RTP at rates comparable to
the first quarter of the year.
other leading jurisdictions, typically at least
80 percent.’’
Ho makes
gloomy forecast
Testing, testing Local gaming mogul, Stanley Ho,
expects a 20 percent slump in gaming
there is no law restricting the number of At present there are four officially
revenues in 2009 but he also expects
slot machines in Macau, however, any recognised slot machine testing labs in
his Sociedade de Jogos de Macau to
removal or addition of slot machines Macau: GLI, BMM, TST and GGS, who
“more or less” keep its market share.
“I believe that gaming revenues will drop
must be approved by the DICJ through all work in gaming jurisdictions across the
about 20 percent and that we’ll be able
an application process. globe and are renowned in the USA and
to more or less keep the same market
If there are any problems, such as a Australia. share,’’ Ho said. In terms of market
defective slot machine, Neves says: “It None of these companies wants to share, SJM still leads and, five years
is required to be disabled and removed miss out on the Macau chance.
after market liberalisation and the arrival
from service for rectification work. If GLI - Gaming Laboratories Interna-
of new operators, SJM reached the end
DICJ is not satisfied that the machine is tional opened a new office and gaming
of the year with a 26.5 percent share,
2.5 percent ahead of Las Vegas Sands,
fit for service, it can direct its removal lab here last month, and BMM is working
the number two operator and its closest
from the gaming floor. In an appropriate in partnership with Macau Polytechnic
competitor. Wynn resorts had slightly
case, it may cancel the approval grant- Institute on a testing centre due to open
more than 16.5 percent, followed by
ed for the slot machine to be operated this month. Melco/PbL with a little more than
in Macau.” TST – Technical Systems Testing
14 percent and, finally, Galaxy resorts
The Gaming Inspection Bureau opened an office in Macau in June last
with 10.5 percent and MGM with
considers that the certification of slot year and GGS also operates here and is
eight percent.
february 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140