The maximum number of gaming tables for all casinos in the city is capped at 6,000, while gaming machines have a maximum of 12,000 from 2023, according to an executive order of Chief Executive published in the Official Gazette on Friday.
The figure is similar to current numbers according to data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) showing that there were 6,006 gaming tables and 12,042 gaming machines in the city as of end-June.
The number of gaming tables and machines in Macau as of June had already seen a plunge from before the pandemic, as there were around 6,739 and 17,009 respectively in 2019.
The downturn comes as the city saw closures of satellite casinos due to the pandemic and the gaming law amendments.
The new directive comes as the gaming sector is set for a new start with the biggest overhaul of gaming law, as current concessionaires expire December 31, after being extended in June following a payment of some MOP47 million by each operator.
All six gaming operators are eyeing a concession bid with the September 14 deadline fast approaching.
Also on Friday, another dispatch was signed by the CE that notes the minimum annual gaming revenue generated by each gaming table should be MOP7 million.
The minimum cap for the annual gaming revenue generated by each gaming machine is set at MOP300,000.
The directive will be effective from the beginning of 2023.
The new gaming law approved in late June has warned concessionaires they will face new limits related to the number of gaming machines and tables they may operate.
The amended law empowers the CE to determine these numbers, with these limits based on the evaluation the government makes on the economy and the gaming sector to determine the gross gaming revenue per machine or table.
The minimum gaming revenue will be based on the forecast and evaluation of the Secretariat for Economy and Finance.
According to the law, if the concessionaires fail to meet the minimum revenue requirements, a “special premium” will have to be paid to the government that makes up the difference between the actual and minimum account.
