DICJ to introduce phone betting penalties in Macau

The decision comes after Bloomberg reported that Macau’s junket operators continue to violate a ban introduced last month on using mobile phones at betting tables.

Macau.- Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) announced its plans to introduce penalties for violations and to close gaps in outdated laws including one banning phone-betting at casinos.

Bloomberg released a report on June 2 saying that Macau’s junket operators are continuing to violate a ban last month on using mobile phones at betting tables. As a response, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) declared it will “complete supplementary laws for violations and related penalties that weren’t previously included, amend outdated rules, and bring in new regulations.”

The gambling regulator’s statement also said that Macau’s gaming industry “has room to improve” and the government will further strengthen regulation through the use of technology to monitor loopholes and enhancing staff training to raise efficiency.

According to Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong Ltd. analyst Jamie Soo, the proposed penalties “will further hurt the revenue of the struggling industry in the short term.” If the ban on phone-betting is more strictly enforced along with penalties, the negative impact may be incrementally felt in the months ahead, Soo added.