Gov’t cautious on plans to allow businesses to expand services

Government officials have urged caution over relaxing rules on mixed-use business operations as Macau holds its second public consultation on the proposed regulatory framework for specific trades and activities.

The session took place on July 18 at the Seac Pai Van Activity Centre, drawing nearly 40 attendees, according to the Macao Daily.

Discussions touched on composite business models, tourist photography, auto repair shop site requirements, and oversight of game arcades, with representatives from the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) and the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) fielding questions and comments.

Among the speakers, a resident called for a more agile declaration system, arguing that current procedures are ill-suited to businesses that frequently add sideline services. He proposed a dynamic filing mechanism that would allow operators to register supplementary activities through a streamlined process rather than restarting applications from scratch.

Another participant said the proposed legal amendments reflect growing market demand for cross-sector operations. She noted that while beauty salons can already offer massage services, barber shops are restricted to basic scalp massages, leaving shoulder-and-neck treatments in a regulatory grey area.

She urged authorities to permit simultaneous licensing for hairdressing, beauty, and food and beverage services under the same legal entity and address, provided all physical standards are met — a move she said would diversify commercial offerings and energize local neighborhoods.

Responding to these calls, Ng Chi Kin, acting director of the DSAJ, acknowledged the government’s commitment to simplifying declarations and reducing red tape through digitalization and interdepartmental data sharing. However, he stressed that any relaxation must be approached with care.

“Each industry operates under its own set of regulations,” Ng said, pointing to differing fire safety, hygiene, and facility standards for restaurants, beauty parlors, and repair shops. Allowing a single license to cover multiple business categories, he warned, would place compliant single-sector operators at an unfair disadvantage.

Chao Wai Ieng, chairman of the IAM’s Administrative Committee, offered examples of how the proposed law could open up new possibilities.

Once enacted, small live performances inside restaurants could be exempt from license requirements – a form of mixed-use liberalization in itself.

He also clarified that barber shops, which are currently not required to register, would only need to complete an additional filing if they added beauty services.

Beauty salons, however, remain restricted to same-gender massage; offering cross-gender services would still require a dedicated massage establishment license.

Lam Chong, director of the Health Bureau’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Office, drew attention to the “Private Medical Facilities Business Act,” due to take effect in December.

The law explicitly bars medical institutions from running unrelated commercial services.

As a result, any beauty salon or similar establishment performing medical-grade head therapy or physiotherapy would be engaging in medical acts and would need to obtain a clinic license.

Arcade prize values under scrutiny

A university student raised concerns over game arcades, calling for clearer definitions of “prizes redeemable for cash.”

She pointed out that claw machine prizes can carry significant monetary value and that the largely chance-based nature of such games may encourage excessive spending among young people.

She suggested capping prize values, drawing on Hong Kong’s regulatory approach, to promote healthier entertainment.

Chao responded that the core regulatory framework for arcades remains unchanged, with only minor adjustments proposed to the hours when minors may enter.

All venues are barred from featuring pornographic or gambling-style content, and operators are prohibited from issuing cash, exchangeable tokens, or redeemable gifts.

Any determinations on specific cases would be made individually, he added.

The third and final public consultation session is scheduled for this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Fai Chi Kei Activity Centre.