Junket operators steadily diminishing

The number of gaming operators in Macau continues to fall, recording a drop of 21.7% in 2022, data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau shows.

Following the crackdown on junket operators, the number of these gaming promoters in the region fell from 46 to just 36 this January – far from the 235 licensed junkets the city had in 2013.

In January 2021, there were only 46 junket licensees for far fewer than the approved 85 license gaming promoters. 

According to reports, junkets account for 75% of Macau’s VIP gaming revenue, equating to around USD3 billion each year. 

Back in December 2021, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng admitted that the existence of junket operators was a “problem” for Macau. Consequently, he said that when the gambling law was amended, the government would enforce it rigorously.

In the big gaming law overhaul that has been implemented since January 1, the gaming promoters can only work with one gaming concessionaire at a time and, even so, this contract needs to be approved by the local government, among other requirements.

With the new law, junkets were required to pay MOP1.50 million to have their licenses renewed from January 1. LV