Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Bureaucratic hurdles slow progress of Macau’s non-gaming initiatives

Good morning. In a maze of red tape. Non-gaming projects initiated by Macau’s gaming operators are progressing slower than expected due to bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of clear planning, community representatives told AGB. At the same time, fragmented planning and heavy government involvement have hindered the effectiveness of non-gaming initiatives, with analysts suggesting a need for more SME participation to foster a balanced economic landscape. Meanwhile, Star Entertainment was given until September 27th to reply to a “show cause” notice from New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) following the release of the final Bell Two inquiry report. Also, Universal Entertainment decided to take some steps to strengthen governance practices following the upheaval in its management.

What you need to know

• Bureaucratic delays and fragmented planning are hindering the progress of Macau’s revitalization plans and affecting non-gaming efforts.
• The Star Entertainment Group Limited was given until September 27th to reply to a “show cause” notice from New South Wales regulators.
• Universal Entertainment forms governance committee amid leadership changes to assess management compliance practices.

On the radar

• Avril Baynes takes the helm as SkyCity Adelaide’s Managing Director.
• Macau’s hotel sector sees $1B gross surplus in 2023, led by five-star hotels.
• Thailand coalition party supports casino plan but warns of monopoly risks.
• POGO ‘Boss’ Huang Ziyang fled to Hong Kong: Philippine Senator.
• Philippines tax office sees over $350 million tax take from E-Games.

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Operators in Macau face delays in non-gaming diversification efforts

Non-gaming initiatives launched by Macau’s gaming operators are advancing more slowly than anticipated, primarily due to bureaucratic obstacles and unclear planning, analysts told AGB. Delays are largely attributed to complicated regulatory procedures and the requirement for extra approvals concerning heritage sites, as operators aim to revitalize six identified old districts. While cultural activities are slowly being rolled out, more complex projects encounter significant administrative hurdles.

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