Gaming | Revised smoking bill may negatively impact gaming revenue

The effect of the full ban on smoking in casinos is more likely to affect the VIP market rather than the mass market, Grant Govertsen, a gaming analyst of Union Gaming Research noted. Speaking to TDM, Goversten said that since the Legislative Assembly will only continue its debate about a full smoking ban on gambling floors in October, casinos will receive a “reprieve from any incremental smoking ban at least for now.”
Although the gaming analyst looks forward to the opening of Wynn Palace and Parisian Macau to help improve the region’s economic outlook, he fears that when the pending bill takes full effect, it may result in a revenue drop in the sector.
Macau’s six casino operators have argued that a total ban would negatively impact their revenues and even jeopardize the region’s position as a global destination for tourism and leisure.