Macau bill amendment would allow government to revoke right to grant gambling credit

The chief executive of Macau would have the authority to terminate any concessionaire’s capacity to grant gambling credit.

Macau.- A new amendment to the draft bill on gambling credit would give Macau’s chief executive the authority to terminate any casino concessionaire’s right to grant gambling credit to customers. During a legislative assembly on Friday (5 April), lawmaker Chan Chak Mo, head of the legislative panel responsible for reviewing the bill, said the chief executive could intervene in the “public interest”.

Under the proposed legislation, only gaming concessionaires and their affiliated junkets will be permitted to provide credit to players. Any violation of this provision could result in a maximum fine of MOP5m (US$620,000).

Management companies, including third-party promoters of local satellite casinos, will be prohibited from offering credit. Two weeks ago, Chan Chak Mo said amendments will undergo a final vote at the Legislative Assembly in April. Junket operators have protested at being banned from granting credit.