Gaming | Another year of fewer junket promoters recorded

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has announced the latest number of approved licensed junket promoters in Macau, according to a dispatch published in the Official Gazette.

In total, there are 100 junket promoters, consisting of 90 companies and 10 individuals.

In January 2018, there were 109 promoters (comprised of 99 companies and 10 individuals). When comparing the number of junket promoters between this year and the previous year, an 8.3 percent decrease can be calculated.

Previously, the director of the DICJ, Paulo Martins Chan, revealed in December that the bureau was reviewing the bill on the eligibility and regulation of junket promoters.

The amendment consideration for the bill includes raising the entry requirements for a junket promoter, in particular, reviewing the appropriate qualifications, funding sources and  financial resources of junket promoters, and stipulating that a certain proportion of the shares must be held by a Macau resident.

It is expected that the bill will enter legislative procedures after DICJ hears opinions from the Legal Affairs Bureau.

In order to strengthen the compliance of junket promoters and gaming operators, the government included another regulation, indicating increased supervision of the accounting of junket promoters.

Chan further revealed that the DICJ had already  instructed junket promoters that had not registered correctly or had missed registration to rectify this by registering. The DICJ head also noted that the bureau will consider other measures when renewing licenses if no rectification or registration is made.

The Macau Junket Association expects an 8 to 10 percent drop in the gambling revenue of casino VIP rooms, according to a report by TDM.

During a press conference that took place yesterday, the association started by noting that gambling revenue had generally declined this month.

The new regulations on smoking control inside casinos are among the most important factors contributing to the revenue drop, according the association.

Association President Lam Kai Kuong expressed that the full extent of the new regulation’s impact on the local gaming industry has not been revealed yet, however, there are signs showing a tendency towards a greater influence.

In addition, Lam mentioned that accusations of VIP room operators covering for illegal smoking inside VIP rooms is without ground.

Lam noted that VIP rooms do not have the authority to punish smoking behaviors, they can only verbally warn smokers. Lam claims that operators do not have the management rights over the rooms, and that they have to inform the gaming companies to follow up on illegal smoking incidents.  JZ