Mais alterações legais

 Dec24

The landscape of Macau’s gambling law is poised for potential changes with the new administration, especially concerning the supply of gaming machines and compliance requirements, lawyers from law firm JNV – Lawyers and Notaries argued.

According to a recent analysis of the Macau gambling market from JNV law firm to Legal 500 written by lawyers Jorge Neto Valente, André Santos Raquel, and Jessica Hon, further amendments and new regulations are expected.

Valente – the founder of JNV – serves as Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Advisor and Galaxy Casino S.A.’s director, having served as President of the Macau Lawyers Association from 1995 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2022.

‘The last substantial change which intention had been publicly announced was enacted in October 2024 (Law no. 20/2024, on combating illegal gaming crimes). In any event, going forward, there may be amendments and new regulations at any time’, the legal analysis points out.

Law No. 20/2024, effective from October 29th, 2024, enhances measures against gambling-related crimes by imposing harsher penalties for ‘illegal lending for gambling’ and introducing new offenses such as ‘operating illegal currency exchange for gambling’.

According to the legal review, one significant area of potential reform is the overhaul of Administrative Regulation no. 26/2012, which governs the supply of gaming machines, equipment, and systems.

The legal experts anticipate that developments in lotteries and sports betting may also be on the horizon, particularly with the upcoming implementation of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ)’s Electronic Gaming Machines Standards 2.0, set to take effect on December 31st, 2026.

‘Industry players are advised to prepare for compliance, as this will impact their operations significantly’, the commentary explains.

Incoming compliance review


The DICJ is also scheduled to conduct a comprehensive review of compliance with the casino gaming concession contracts, which happens every three years.

This review is expected to commence on January 1st, 2025, raising questions about potential risks to the stability and growth of the gambling market in Macau.

Global geopolitical factors are also a concern, as Macau’s close ties to China mean that economic trends in the mainland can significantly influence the local gaming industry.

Still, the lawyers considered that the casino gaming concession contracts signed in 2022 include substantial plans for both gaming and non-gaming investments, presenting opportunities for companies looking to supply goods and services to concessionaires.

‘For start-ups considering Macau as a jurisdiction for their operations, the region’s status as the world’s largest land-based gaming market remains a key attraction, despite the high barriers to entry due to the need for concession contracts’, the review adds.

Moreover, Law no. 7/2022, which amended the Gaming Law prior to the public tender for new casino concessions, allows new concessionaires to operate existing casinos on third-party premises for a transitional period of three years, subject to the Chief Executive’s approval.

This transition period will conclude on January 1st, 2026, after which concessionaires must either acquire the premises or place their satellite casinos under the management of a casino management company.

New CE, new regulations

The recent election of a new Chief Executive, who will be sworn-in on December 20th of this year, also marks another pivotal moment for the industry.

With broad powers to shape gaming policies, the new CE may implement changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations, with a reshuffle of cabinet Secretaries to further influence the DICJ and the broader gaming landscape.

A key new face joining the cabinet is Tai Kin Ip, who has been appointed Secretary for Economy and Finance, replacing Lei Wai Nong, whose fate is yet to be announced. Tai previously served as Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) since 2016.

After Sam Hou Fai introduced the new cabinet to the public, Tai stated that the incoming government would allocate additional resources to advance “appropriate economic diversification.”

“We will review the work carried out over the past five years, and while gathering consensus from various sectors, we will allocate more resources to further diversify Macau’s economy,” Tai said.

In November, the government unveiled its first comprehensive diversification blueprint (2024–2028), anchored in the 1+4 strategy, with plans for non-gaming industries to contribute approximately 60 percent of Macau’s GDP, compared to about 50 percent in 2019.

Tai’s portfolio also includes oversight of the city’s crucial gaming industry, which falls under the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). The bureau will see a leadership change, as its current director, Adriano Marques Ho, has been appointed Director General of Macau Customs.

https://agbrief.com/news/macau/17/12/2024/potential-legal-gaming-reforms-loom-as-new-macau-administration-takes-office-lawyers/

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