Legislators demand transparency on non-gambling investments by casino operators (opacidade)

 may25

The non-gaming investment plans for 2023 by the city’s six gaming concessionaires generated over MOP30 billion in gross production value for Macau’s economy, according to Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip.

In a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday, lawmaker Ron Lam presented an oral inquiry urging the government to strengthen supervision of non-gaming investment plans by gaming concessionaires and implement robust employee protection measures for their workforce.

In response, the Secretary emphasized that the government has consistently maintained clear mechanisms for monitoring both the pre-implementation and post-implementation phases. “The [gaming concession] contract terms also require approved companies to submit detailed annual project implementation reports to the government, which must include information on the specific implementation status, amounts invested, timelines, and outcomes,” he said.

While acknowledging that the government has engaged independent institutions for external audits, Tai did not directly address the specifics of the annual investment plans of the six gaming concessionaires.

When pressed further by Lam, Tai stated that the information provided by licensed companies to the Macau Special Administrative Region government pertains to their expenses and assets.

As the recipient of such information, the government must be cautious; disclosing commercial secrets without prior consent from the rights holders could violate fair competition principles and constitute an infringement of confidentiality under the Commercial Code.

“I believe that upholding fair competition is crucial for enhancing investor confidence in Macau, as well as for improving the business environment and international competitiveness of the Macau Special Administrative Region,” Tai said.

https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/mop30-billion-generated-from-non-gaming-initiatives-in-2023.html

may25

Lawmaker Ron Lam has urged the government to disclose the annual non-gambling investment plans of the city’s six casino operators, stressing the need for transparency over the 130 billion patacas (US$16.2 billion) the operators have collectively committed to spend under their current 10-year contracts.

“These investments … should be viewed as equivalent to public funds,” he said on Monday, according to the Macau Daily Times. Lam described the funds as “vital for stimulating local economic development” and said that the concessionaires’ budget allocations and implementation status updates regarding them should be made public.

He cited the 2025 Macao International Parade, which took place in March, as an example of opaque budgeting and criticised the authorities for refusing to disclose exactly how much of its funding came from the private sector. Organisers for the event were listed as the Cultural Affairs Bureau and all six gaming concessionaires. 

Lam also called for the establishment of a government-led platform dedicated to public tendering for the concessionaires, the Times said, with evaluations based on their annual plans. 

“This approach would ensure the appropriate use of investments and enable full participation from all sectors of the local community, thereby genuinely promoting the diversified development of Macao’s economy,” Lam argued.

His fellow lawmaker Nick Lei, meanwhile, called for improvements to the neighbourhood revitalisation schemes each concessionaire has committed to. For example, Galaxy is taking control of the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards and MGM of the Barra and A-Ma temple area.

According to the Times, Lei implied that current efforts lack integration with local history and community needs, risking the projects’ long-term sustainability. He also suggested lessons could be learned from similar revitalisation initiatives elsewhere in the region. Lei has submitted a written inquiry about the progress and timeline for reviewing the regeneration of the six historical districts. 

The overarching revitalisation project recently underwent a change in oversight, shifting from the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture since its 2023 launch and into the hands of the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance.

https://macaonews.org/news/business/macau-casinos-non-gaming-investments-2/

Ron Lam acusa o Governo de “actuar à porta fechada” em relação aos investimentos de 130 mil milhões de patacas que as concessionárias vão despender ao longo de 10 anos para revitalizar a cidade. Sem orçamentos públicos, planos e calendarização, o deputado entende que a sociedade fica afastada dos projectos

https://hojemacau.com.mo/2025/05/13/jogo-criticada-opacidade-em-investimentos-alternativos/