"How to attract foreign tourists?" (+ Charter flights) II
jan26
Ng Wai Han, directora da DICJ, assegurou que estão estabelecidas “normas rigorosas” no que respeita à análise das receitas brutas geradas por jogadores estrangeiros. Segundo explicou, há uma “verificação diária” destas receitas
A Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos (DICJ) garante que tem estabelecido “normas rigorosas” às medidas de identificação dos clientes de países estrangeiros e às receitas brutas do jogo por eles geradas. “Concretamente, as concessionárias obrigam-se a estabelecer procedimentos operacionais padrão e mecanismos de auditoria interna e regular”, refere a directora, Ng Wai Han, em resposta a uma interpelação do deputado José Pereira Coutinho.
O objectivo, continua, é “assegurar que todas as transacções e actividades de jogo dos clientes provenientes de países estrangeiros sejam efectuadas por visitantes estrangeiros em conformidade com o definido, verificando com eficácia a actualização, exactidão e integridade dos registos no respeitante às receitas brutas do jogo”.
Mais ainda, Ng Wai Han afirmou que “os procedimentos operacionais padrão e o mecanismo de auditoria devem ser previamente aprovados pela DICJ”, além de que, “após a aprovação dos procedimentos operacionais padrão e o mecanismo de auditoria, a DICJ continuará a proceder à apreciação e verificação diárias das receitas brutas do jogo geradas por clientes de países estrangeiros”.
A líder do organismo refere ainda que, quando a concessionária apresentar o requerimento para a redução ou isenção das contribuições, a DICJ “irá ainda verificar os documentos comprovativos e informações apresentados pela concessionária, bem como procederá à auditoria, incluindo a verificação aleatória dos dados de identificação dos jogadores e dos registos de jogo, etc., a fim de verificar se as receitas brutas do jogo provêm de visitantes estrangeiros em conformidade com o definido”.
Recorde-se que, em 2024, as seis concessionárias de jogo foram isentas de pagar aproximadamente 150 milhões de dólares de Hong Kong, ao abrigo da Lei do jogo, que concede uma isenção de até 5% sobre o imposto do jogo nas receitas geradas por jogadores internacionais. Ainda segundo as informações avançadas pelo presidente da 2ª Comissão Permanente da Assembleia Legislativa, as operadoras aumentaram os investimentos não-jogo em 170 milhões de patacas.
O deputado José Pereira Coutinho tinha questionado o Governo sobre quantos pedidos de redução ou isenção de contribuições foram analisados e quantos foram aprovados desde 2023 e até ao momento, uma pergunta que ficou sem resposta.
Além disso, também perguntou sobre que tipo de provas documentais concretas são exigidas às concessionárias do jogo para demonstrar que foi através das suas acções promocionais ou de negócio que atraíram efectivamente os jogadores estrangeiros “e não factores genéricos e fortuitos como a reabertura das fronteiras”.
Na resposta, Ng Wai Han salienta que, na candidatura ao concurso público para a atribuição de concessões para a exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar em casino, “as concessionárias apresentaram claramente os seus compromissos e planos quanto à expansão dos mercados de clientes de países estrangeiros, cujos conteúdos foram incorporados no contrato de concessão”. “E o Governo da RAEM tem continuado a fiscalizar o cumprimento das obrigações contratuais”, assegurou.
Noutro âmbito, e em resposta a uma outra interpelação igualmente de Pereira Coutinho, Ng Wai Han indicou que a DICJ “está a realizar os trabalhos de revisão, no sentido de analisar o cumprimento das responsabilidades sociais por parte das [operadoras de jogo], bem como a promoção da diversificação adequada da economia e do desenvolvimento sustentável, entre outros aspectos”.
https://jtm.com.mo/local/dicj-garante-rigor-na-analise-de-receitas-geradas-por-estrangeiros/
jan26
Macau’s foreigner-only gaming zones continue to make only a marginal contribution to overall casino revenue despite signs of early progress, an analyst and industry observer told AGB.
The segment generated about HK$3 billion ($385 million) in gross gaming revenue in 2024 and triggered HK$150 million ($19.2 million) in levy relief for operators.
Foreign player gaming accounted for roughly 0.17 percent of total casino revenue for the year, according to a government budget execution review.
The review was discussed last month at the Legislative Assembly of Macau, marking the first time authorities have publicly disclosed detailed data on gaming revenue generated by foreign players under the current incentive framework.
Under Macau’s revised gaming law, operators may receive up to a 5 percent reduction in special contributions linked to gaming revenue generated by international visitors, provided the activity takes place in designated gaming zones within casino properties. These zones were established as part of a broader strategy to encourage operators to develop facilities and services aimed at non-mainland Chinese customers.
Committee chairman and lawmaker Ip Sio Kai said the relief mechanism is intended to support efforts to diversify Macau’s visitor base and reduce reliance on a single source market. The policy forms part of the government’s wider push to reposition the city as an international tourism and leisure destination.
Limited impact
An analyst at an international investment bank, who preferred not to be identified, told Asia Gaming Brief that the financial impact remains limited.
“I think these are positive developments, but they are too small to matter, as foreigners contributed roughly 1 percent of total GGR in 2025,” the analyst said, adding that such levels are insufficient to materially influence operators’ earnings or investment decisions.
Speaking to AGB, Billy Song, president of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association, said the foreigner-only zones require more tailored approaches to become effective. He noted that such areas need to better reflect the cultural backgrounds and preferences of target markets.
“Because these are dedicated zones for foreign visitors, there should be more cultural elements linked to their source markets,” Song said. “For example, having staff who speak Thai or Japanese and providing services that match their preferences could make the experience more attractive.”
Song added that the current scale of foreign play is broadly in line with earlier expectations, given Macau’s tourism structure, in which visitors from mainland China continue to account for the majority of arrivals.
He also noted that many international tourists may still choose to gamble in mass-market areas rather than in designated zones, limiting the policy’s effectiveness.
Under Macau’s gaming regime, operators are subject to an effective tax rate of 40 percent on gross gaming revenue, including a 35 percent direct gaming tax and 5 percent in special contributions. The levy relief applies only to the latter and does not affect core tax revenue, according to government officials.
The government introduced the incentive framework in 2023 as part of the new gaming law, aiming to encourage operators to strengthen overseas marketing, improve international air connectivity, and develop more diversified tourism products.
Officials have repeatedly stressed that the policy is a long-term measure and that its impact will take time to materialize.
Macau’s foreigner-only gaming zones continue to make only a marginal contribution to overall casino revenue despite signs of early progress, an analyst and industry observer told AGB.
The segment generated about HK$3 billion ($385 million) in gross gaming revenue in 2024 and triggered HK$150 million ($19.2 million) in levy relief for operators.
Foreign player gaming accounted for roughly 0.17 percent of total casino revenue for the year, according to a government budget execution review.
The review was discussed last month at the Legislative Assembly of Macau, marking the first time authorities have publicly disclosed detailed data on gaming revenue generated by foreign players under the current incentive framework.
Under Macau’s revised gaming law, operators may receive up to a 5 percent reduction in special contributions linked to gaming revenue generated by international visitors, provided the activity takes place in designated gaming zones within casino properties. These zones were established as part of a broader strategy to encourage operators to develop facilities and services aimed at non-mainland Chinese customers.
Committee chairman and lawmaker Ip Sio Kai said the relief mechanism is intended to support efforts to diversify Macau’s visitor base and reduce reliance on a single source market. The policy forms part of the government’s wider push to reposition the city as an international tourism and leisure destination.
Limited impact
An analyst at an international investment bank, who preferred not to be identified, told Asia Gaming Brief that the financial impact remains limited.
“I think these are positive developments, but they are too small to matter, as foreigners contributed roughly 1 percent of total GGR in 2025,” the analyst said, adding that such levels are insufficient to materially influence operators’ earnings or investment decisions.
Speaking to AGB, Billy Song, president of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association, said the foreigner-only zones require more tailored approaches to become effective. He noted that such areas need to better reflect the cultural backgrounds and preferences of target markets.
“Because these are dedicated zones for foreign visitors, there should be more cultural elements linked to their source markets,” Song said. “For example, having staff who speak Thai or Japanese and providing services that match their preferences could make the experience more attractive.”
Song added that the current scale of foreign play is broadly in line with earlier expectations, given Macau’s tourism structure, in which visitors from mainland China continue to account for the majority of arrivals.
He also noted that many international tourists may still choose to gamble in mass-market areas rather than in designated zones, limiting the policy’s effectiveness.
Under Macau’s gaming regime, operators are subject to an effective tax rate of 40 percent on gross gaming revenue, including a 35 percent direct gaming tax and 5 percent in special contributions. The levy relief applies only to the latter and does not affect core tax revenue, according to government officials.
The government introduced the incentive framework in 2023 as part of the new gaming law, aiming to encourage operators to strengthen overseas marketing, improve international air connectivity, and develop more diversified tourism products.
Officials have repeatedly stressed that the policy is a long-term measure and that its impact will take time to materialize.
https://agbrief.com/intel/deep-dive/05/02/2026/macaus-foreigner-only-gaming-zones-show-early-gains-but-remain-marginal-to-overall-revenue-experts/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=df8cd44768-AGB%3A+%2302321+Thursday%2C+05th+February%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-df8cd44768-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28AGB%3A+%2302321+Thursday%2C+05th+February%2C+2026%29&goal=0_51950b5d21-df8cd44768-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=df8cd44768&mc_eid=31e20475e6
jan26
Visitors from Portugal, Spain below pre-pandemic levels despite investments
https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/visitors-from-portugal-spain-below-pre-pandemic-levels-despite-investments.html
(desde 26/1/26)
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