MACAU BUSINESS Surprise, surprise “I never imagined that I would be
involved with the gaming industry. I was very surprised” with the invitation to lead DICJ, says Paulo Martins Chan. Until today, he does not know why he was chosen. Maybe it was for his expertise in the law and his experience as a prosecutor. Or even, he wonders, the fact that some years ago he wrote a book with the professors of a local university on casino crimes. The prosecutor, with 17 years on the
job, realises this is a “huge challenge”. One more reason to feel “very excited”, he explains. “It’s very important to me to have job satisfaction. There are a lot of challenges, I see a completely different world, the glamour of the gaming world, and I try to resolve problems. It is very satisfying”, Mr. Chan says.
Non-gaming aspects: Multi- departmental control
MB: How will the government monitor the 9 per cent of non-gaming imposed upon the operators? P.M.C.: This isn’t only the mission of DICJ;
many governmental offices will work together on it. For our part, we’re trying to encourage the integrated resorts to create more non- gaming amenities in order to attract more family tourists.
MB: A multifunction, multi-departmental
task? P.M.C.: I believe so.
MB: The Canidrome will need to relocate
its greyhound track within two years. Why now? P.M.C.: Because the contract expired last December and was extended for one year. By December this year, we really need to have a decision. Last year, we appointed the University of Macau to do a study and its results were recently submitted to DICJ and the government. There were [several] suggestions and we took one which is the one that was announced.
MB: If the company succeeds in finding a
new place, will DICJ evaluate the situation? P.M.C.: Certainly. But as we’ve announced, if
they can really find a place we still have to consider the impact upon residents in the area and the animals’ condition must be up to international standards.
22 SEPTEMBER 2016
We need to work hard on integrity and the quality of our gaming sector.
MB: Will the liberalisation of sports
betting be a reality or continue to be a monopoly? P.M.C.: We’re still not considering it yet. But
since you mention it, I might start considering it [laughs].
MB: According to the media, The 13 is supposed to be the most expensive [built] hotel in the world with a casino under the licence of one of the current operators. The building, in Coloane, is almost ready. Did DICJ receive any request from a gaming operator to have some gaming rooms there? P.M.C.: Until now we haven’t received an application from any of the operators.
MB: The government allowed the
development of some land - allocated to the Jockey Club of Macau (JCM) for its horseracing activities - to have other facilities like hotels, etc. What are the terms of the new agreement, since the land was previously earmarked for JCM activities? P.M.C.: Actually, DICJ was not involved in the authorisation of the land process; we don’t really know. We just regulate the horseracing.
MB: How is the implementation, so far, of the banning of the use of phones at gaming tables? P.M.C.: I’ll take this opportunity to say it again that phone betting is not allowed in the most modern jurisdictions, the most civilized. In the past, we did not allow it but we did allow the usage of telephones. What we’re banning is the usage of phones on tables because it would be very suspicious, since we cannot control what the patron is talking about; that’s why we banned [them] from May 9. This is a very important measure to meet international standards. In most cases, people are complying. There
were some isolated cases but with the intervention of our inspectors the usage of the phones stopped. In general, it is quite positive.
Dore case. Most debts paid MB: Any updates on the Dore and L’Arc
cases? P.M.C.: We have been following it. In the case
of Dore there are different group situations. Those that Dore recognises it is paying [back] gradually. Some others, as I recall, cannot be contacted by the Dore staff so have still not been paid. But most of the cases have already been paid.
MB: What are your personal targets in this position? P.M.C.: I really hope I can complete the
revision of laws and legislation that still [need]
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