Govt limits casino’s free snacks, reports say

The Macau government has reportedly directed casino operators either to restrict or stop providing complimentary snacks to their patrons, according to multiple sources.

The move comes amid concerns that the practice of offering free food and drinks is negatively impacting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Inside Asian Gaming has learned.

Rumors of the government’s intervention have been circulating on social media platforms, and sources have confirmed the accuracy of these reports.

In the post-Covid era, some casino operators have been offering free snacks and drinks to attract customers, often combined with free transport options from mainland China. This strategy has been employed to compete for mass and premium mass players.

Currently, different gaming operators offer a variety of snacks, ranging from milk tea to egg tarts and different kinds of pastries to ice creams.

However, the rise of “zero-dollar tours” targeting younger mainland visitors has also been observed, with guests opting for the complimentary food provided within the casinos instead of exploring local dining options or spending money in the community.

Alleged comments from Macau SMEs claim they have experienced significant cancellations of large orders in recent days, as the government has requested an end to the practice due to its adverse impact on local businesses.

While no official statement has been issued, a source has revealed to the media outlet that the government wants the practice “reduced and controlled.”

Billy Song, president of the Macau Association for Responsible Gaming, has confirmed the news and said casinos would gradually change their approach to serving free snacks soon, according to the report.

He said there is a need to balance the increase in visitor flow to the casinos with the potential impact on the survival of local SMEs.

At the TDM Radio Forum yesterday, Cheng Wai Tong, deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), cited data from 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, indicating that tourists’ non-gaming consumption has increased compared to 2019.

He noted that despite the availability of free snacks, tourists are spending more, with the per capita consumption of Korean tourists increasing by 71% compared with 2019, and that of Japanese tourists increasing 21%. Staff Reporter