80 Gaming
clear. For instance, Macau licensees
would have to demonstrate their suit-
ability, technical aptitude and financial
capacity. Each remote gaming license
would last for five years.
Big interest
Just after the announcement, Las Vegas
Sands and Galaxy showed some interest
in entering the on-line sector.
Three years have passed since all
that, but the issue of legalisation has
disappeared from the headlines. Online
gambling remains forbidden in Macau,
other than special exceptions for horse
and dog racing bets over the telephone
and internet. However, why the draft was
dropped and not even put out for public
consultation continues to be a mystery.
On the waiting list
In the background the Gaming Commis-
sion’s legal advisors - led by Jorge Ol-
iveira who has been edged out of his po-
sition in a recent makeover of the body
– continued their work. More drafts
were prepared until the legal advisors
were dismissed at the end of 2008.
One draft still waiting for govern-
ment approval is about “side betting”, a
practice which is increasingly an issue
of concern for the gaming industry.
Side betting exploits legal bets
placed in a casino by conducting clan-
destine parallel betting linked to the out-
comes and payoffs of lawful wagers. It is
made possible through a side agreement
between the player placing the legal bet
Forgotten drafts
and a third party who promises to cover
an additional illegal parallel bet.
Difficult to assess damage
It has grown into the biggest gaming jurisdiction
Although hard to assess the actual scope
by revenue in the world, but little has been
of side betting in Macau, it is clear it di-
rectly threatens legal gaming revenues.
done to bring the regulatory framework in which Public revenues are also affected since
Macau’s casinos operate, up to standard
gaming taxes represent the govern-
ment’s main source of income.
by Emanuel Graça
The draft prepared by the Gamming
Commission’s legal experts considered
S
ingapore’s emergence on the glo- sation of remote gaming. Work on the side betting unlawful and subject to
bal gaming stage has once again draft was made public in February 2007 criminal prosecution.
raised a much-asked question: at an international congress about online Other drafts were also prepared for
Why is Macau taking so long to bring gaming in the city. Back then, it was said the regulation of the issuing of chips for
forward long-needed bills to better regu- that a bill could be in place in two years slot-machines. However, none have yet
late its casinos? time. been pushed forward by the government.
Macau Business has learned that At that time, the Gaming Commis-
drafts have been ready for more than a sion announced it was drafting a legal Reading between the lines
year, at least. However, the political will framework to regulate remote gaming, in- From December 2005 to September
to finish and enact them seems absent. cluding provisions on interactive gaming. 2009, no new legal diploma regarding
One such draft targets the legali- Some major features were already the gaming industry was put forward
March 2010
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