In a new development, Macau has fixed a limit of 6,000 gaming tables and 12,000 gaming machines for new casino operators, as well as minimum income levels for each operator from January 1, 2023.
With their contracts set to expire at the end of 2022, the area’s six prominent licensed operators, including Sands China, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, MGM China, SJM Holdings, and Melco Resorts, will need to rebid for their spots.
It must be noted that the government started the highly anticipated bidding process in July 2022 and also stated that the global gaming operators could submit bids for new licenses from July 29 until September 14.
The new gaming operation will cap the total amount of all gaming tables and gaming machines to ensure healthy development: Macau government
“The new gaming operation from early next year will cap the total amount of all gaming tables and gaming machines to ensure orderly and healthy development,” the government said in a statement on its website.”The minimum annual gross income for a single gaming table is set at 7 million patacas ($866,122), while the figure for each gaming machine is 300,000 patacas, the government said. A casino owner which falls short of the lower income level needs to make it up by paying a special premium. The government also emphasized the fact that the rules are aimed to encourage licensed companies to make good use of approved tables and machines. In 2021, Macau had a total of 6,198 gaming tables operating and 11,758 machines. The numbers got reduced from 6,739 tables in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Macau rule-makers hope that the new policy will increase investment in the region and will also improve the economic situation as well.Before the Covid-19 pandemic, casino taxes accounted for more than 80 cents of every tax dollar received by the local government, and the local authorities will want to get back on track with the implementation of the new rules.
