Macau Kicks Off Public Gaming Consultation Ahead of Casino Rebidding
Voice of America
HONG KONG - Macau's government is due to begin a 45-day public gaming consultation starting Wednesday as it tries to gauge public consensus ahead of a closely watched rebidding of its multibillion-dollar casinos next year.
Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance in the world's biggest gambling hub, said the government would further promote the "sustained and healthy development" of Macau's gambling industry as there were still some deficiencies in industry supervision.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Lei detailed nine areas for the consultation, including the number of licenses to be given, increased regulation and protecting employee welfare, as well as introducing government representatives to supervise day-to-day operations at the casinos.
A Chinese special administrative region, Macau has tightened scrutiny of casinos in recent years, with authorities clamping down on illicit capital flows from mainland China and targeting underground lending and illegal cash transfers.
