Macau delays gaming law review due to pandemic

The review of gaming legislation, necessary for the retender process for casino concessions, will take place in the second half of 2021.

Macau.- The revision of gaming legislation has been delayed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the SAR’s chief executive, Ho Iat Seng.

Ho said in a press conference: “Because of the pandemic we delayed some works for the public consultation but we are making efforts to go forward. It is work that needs to be done.

“It will take place in the second half of next year. We’re almost in the new year and we still have to prepare the AL elections”.

The review of the current gaming law is necessary for the public retender process for current gaming concessions, which expire in June 2022.

Ho refused to confirmed speculation that Macau is likely to delay the retender process and extend current concessions beyond the 2022 deadline due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ho said: “We are still consolidating the legal framework […]. It is hard to comment because it relates to the future development of Macau. When we have a complete legal framework we will reveal more details”.

The 2021 Policy Address document published in November stated that the draft revised gaming law could be submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL) by the last quarter of next year, depending on when the public consultation process is initiated.