Wire ASIA & OCEANIA
Macau Future Looking More Concrete Macau’s Legislative Assembly has now published the draft bill amending its
casino laws prior to launch of the re-tendering of Macau's six casino licences.
Macau’s Legislative Assembly has published the draft bill amending its casino laws prior to launch of the re-tendering of Macau's six casino licences, a process that will see the number of licences granted limited to six with a concession length of 10 years (with a possible extension of three years under exceptional circumstances). All existing or potential concessionaires will have to proceed through a new tender process to be awarded a concession, and that the concept of sub-concessions will be discontinued.
Te language of the bill states that bidding companies must 'prepare a plan to promote responsible gambling' and 'adopt measures that allow the public, including tourists, to have sufficient information for them to assume a responsible, moderate and controlled posture in the game.' It remains unclear whether re- tendering will take place before 26 June 2022 or if the current concessions, due to expire on that date, will be extended. Government officials explained that the current licences would be extended for only a “short term” if re-tendering cannot be completed in time.
Amendments to Macau’s gaming law, will further include a minimum capital requirement
for concessionaires of MOP$5bn (formerly MOP$200m) and a requirement for a Macau- based Managing Director to hold a 15 per cent interest in the company (formerly 10 per cent). A proposal to appoint a government representative to the Board of Directors of each concessionaire will not be implemented. With regards to the abolition of junkets, operators have been told that they can no longer 'share, in any form or agreement, with the concessionaires, the revenues from the casinos, or the exclusive exploitation of the areas reserved for the casinos by contract, being limited only to the provision of support to the concessionaires in the promotion of gambling activities in casinos, through commissions.'
Responding to the announcements, Dr. Lui Che Woo, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment, said: “We agree and fully support the goals of the SAR Government’s proposed legislation, which holds that national and Macau SAR security should be put as top priority whereas Macau’s economic diversification and sustainable development should be promoted. We believe that having optimised laws and regulations in place will lay a solid foundation for the city’s steady development.”
Japan Long-stay tourism the IR goal in Japan
Te Japan Casino Regulatory Commission has reiterated that the goal of Integrated Resort casino in Japan is to generate ‘long-stay tourism.’
Its approach to casino regulation was updated on its official website with four sections detailed: Concept/Approach to Casino Regulations, Overview of Casino Regulations, Summary of Casino Regulations and Measures against Adverse Effects, and Main Laws Concerning Casino Regulations.
Te Commission said: “Te IR Development Act is meant to achieve attractive, long-stay tourism that is competitive on an international scale by utilising sound casino business operations, run under appropriate national
monitoring and management and promoting the development of IR regions. Terefore, in order to achieve the IR objective, it is essential that the casinos in IR facilities are run soundly and legally.
“Te IR Development Act calls for various foolproof measures regarding casinos in order to achieve sound casino operations and ease concerns.
“Te Casino Regulatory Commission’s mission is to ensure credible casino administration by thoroughly enforcing the strict casino regulations based on the law and ensuring casino operations run under appropriate national monitoring and management.”
Asia
ASIA – BBIN has launched its annual theme for 2022 entitled “Te Gaming Beat” that has been designed to resonate with when BBIN’s subsidiary, TGB Charity, was established in 2018. Demonstrating the company’s aspiration to balance business performance and corporate sustainability, the imagery of the blue bird and dandelion is said to represent the ‘spreading of hope and positive vibes’ in the new era, expressing the brand’s goal to achieve sustainable development. Te visual design of the theme combines a fusion of elements and colourful patterns to ‘demonstrate the spirit and evolution of life’ and ‘depicting the growth of life from the original formation of the cell and heartbeat to the thriving development flourished by the sunlight, air and water’.
PHILIPPINES – Interblock has unveiled another successful installation in Asia at the recently opened Hann Casino Resort in Clark, Philippines, which is the venue of the former Widus Hotel and Casino complex. The ETG Stadium consists of 40 G5 Diamond Play Stations with Live Twin Table Baccarat and Live Roulette, with multigame, multi- denomination, multi-lingual support. An additional Diamond Megastar Roulette 8 was installed nearby, in total 48 seats.
Interblock’s President for Asia Pacific, Michael Hu, commented: "We are thrilled for Interblock’s products to be part of the vision to attract tourism to Clark area. We wish Hann Casino and Resort great success in years to come."
AUSTRALIA – Researchers from CQUniversity have found that positive messages to help manage online gambling are more likely to encourage punters to take action. The research follows evidence that online gambling puts participants at higher risk of gambling harm than traditional consumers. However, the key to better habits could be at the fingertips of gamblers, with sports and racing bettors often wagering using smartphone applications, which could be effective in promoting tips and messages to prevent gambling harm.
The study trialled a range of safe gambling messages. Researchers found participants rated positive messaging, on how to control money spent on gambling, as the most helpful and easy to understand. The five-week behavioural trial pushed randomised messages to more than 2,000 regular sports and race consumers. It measured impacts on the amounts they bet, the time they spent betting, and the overall gambling harms experienced. In addition to positive-emotional messages like ’betting less lets you spend more money on the important people in your life’, the trial also included control-based messages like, ‘only bet what you can afford’ and norm-based information including ‘most people who gamble bet $10 a week or less’.
Research leader and EGRL director, Professor Matthew Rockloff, said participants reduced the money and time they spent on gambling over the five-week course. Professor Rockloff argued the carefully developed tone of the messages might have contributed to the success. “Over the decades, we’ve observed that people with gambling problems rarely seek help, and research shows perceived social stigma and feelings of shame are driving that reluctance,” Prof Rockloff said. “Negative advertisements showing people hitting rock bottom, being confronted by their angry families with ominous music – those images risk contributing to their stigma and shame, and ultimately may prevent people seeking help.”
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P25
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