Sports betting concession extended for one year

The government has extended the sports betting concession of Macau Slot Co Ltd, the city’s sole operator in this sector, until June 5, 2026.

The renewal, announced Wednesday in the official gazette, includes conditions prioritizing the hiring and retaining of local workers, aligning with the government’s commitment to boosting local employment.

Macau Slot must also gradually reduce its non-resident workforce as part of the contractual agreement, which also states that it is “renewable by agreement between the parties.”

Despite challenges, the operator reported its highest post-pandemic profit in 2024, with net profit rising 5.6% year-on-year to MOP130.88 million.

Labour Affairs Bureau deputy director, Chan Un Tong, emphasized ongoing government oversight of the sector’s non-local employment.

He noted to the media yesterday that authorities will continue to monitor enterprises’ employment. As long as there is an application for foreign employment, the enterprise will be required to provide employee information for supervision to ensure that the lottery company has fulfilled its contractual commitments and handled it in a timely manner.

Founded in 1989, Macau Slot gained exclusive rights to football betting in 1998 and basketball betting in 2000.

Currently, around 15% of Macau Slot’s workforce is non-local. NS