Lionel Leong | No changes envisaged in factors affecting gaming slump

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, said that he doesn’t envisage any substantial changes to be made to the combination of factors affecting the gaming revenue downturn. As more non-gaming elements are being installed in casino resorts, he expects tourists to stay longer, following this enhancement to the city’s attraction to tourism.
Leong told the media that tourism destinations such as Japan and South Korea tend to compete with Macau for visitors from the mainland, especially when they are looking to have a long vacation. He thus hopes that the new resort projects can attract tourists to stay longer.
As for how many gambling tables will be approved for Galaxy Macau’s second-phase project, the secretary reiterated that the government would approve each application rigorously after comprehensive factors have been considered, including the annual growth cap of 3 percent.
Leong stressed that the administration’s aim is to encourage casino corporations that drive the development of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those brands with Macau characteristics. He recognized Galaxy’s Broadway project as an example of such an initiative, adding that those elements – also including corporate social responsibility and competitiveness – are important indicators for the gaming-license interim review.