The sole candidate on the campaign trail | Chui quizzed on gaming industry development

Ambrose So

Electoral College members questioned Chui Sai On about the future development of the gaming industry, along with its subsequent impact on Macau’s labor force, during a meeting yesterday morning.
Ambrose So, the chief executive officer of local casino operator SJM, was the first to speak. He pointed out that there are several reasons why the MSAR government decided to issue three gaming concessions for the casino operators SJM, Galaxy and Wynn.
“SJM has been operating in the traditional gaming industry for a long time [and] hence should continue. As for Galaxy and Wynn, Galaxy is very experienced with exhibitions and conventions  while Wynn is about leisure and family. Thus, it [is providing] integrated entertainment,” he said.
“Therefore, as I have understood, gambling should only be one part of their offerings. Their focus should be on exhibitions and conventions for one and leisure for the other. So, one has to look at the original intention [of licensing] to see whether they have fulfilled their obligations.”
He added that the three sub-concessionaires should follow in the footsteps of the concessionaire in their operation.
Moreover, the SJM CEO mentioned Chui’s suggestion to request casino operators to support the transportation and accommodation of their non-
resident employees. He asked whether the CE candidate is asking the casino operators to construct accommodation for workers and whether the government will allocate land to them to do this.
On the other hand, another Electoral College member, Chan Siu Hung, doubted Chui’s campaign slogan of “meeting all challenges.”
He said the policy that only allows locals to become croupiers is affecting Macau’s human resources. Mr Chan thinks that this policy is outdated and questioned Chui’s speedy decision to rule out opening croupier positions to non-residents.
Chan Siu Hung said that if Chui is really and willing to meet the challenges, he should make adjustments to this policy.
Chan Wing Lam, also an Electoral College member, claimed that the expansion of the gaming industry has contributed to a difficult business environment for other industries. Therefore, he asked the CE candidate to “cool down” the industry.
Furthermore, lawmaker Fong Chi Keong has asked Chui Sai On to allow residents from all sectors to participate in the government’s policy-
making process, in order to “create a fair regime of political participation, which will lead to a balance in policy and social harmony.”
Mr Fong added that Chui should consider changing Macau’s political structure, but he did not elaborate.
In reply, the CE candidate said that he agrees with Ambrose So’s comment on the relationship between the concessionaire and sub-concessionaire. He also said that casino operators should, in principle, support their employees in order to reduce the pressure on the city.
Chui Sai On also claimed that there is risk in the possibility of the government freezing the development of the gaming industry. “Now, [we] hope that [the industry] can develop in a healthy manner according to plan,” Mr Chui said.

João Pedro Lau