Macau warns operators about phone ban

Authorities from Macau reminded operators that the use of phones at gaming tables is prohibited.

Macau.- Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination bureau (DICJ) issued a statement last week to warn casino operators that they should pay more attention to the use of phones at gaming tables, since they’re prohibited.

The DICJ talked about a specific case that involved 17 people that are currently under suspicions of being part of an illegal online proxy betting operation inside a VIP room in a casino from Cotai. The entity believes that the use of smartphones was essential during this operations, therefore phones were banned from gaming tables last year. Moreover, the DICJ advised them to comply with the order since VIP rooms need a stricter monitoring and to immediately report any questionable situations.

Global Market Advisors estimated that Macau’s proxy betting volume grew 15 percent from 2015 to 2016, whilst overall VIP revenue had fallen 40 percent. Furthermore, the DICJ reported a year ago that the ban is part of China’s anti-corruption campaign, aimed to curb graft perpetrated by public officials and the laundering of the funds gained via acts of corruption such as influence peddling or theft of public assets.