The city’s Economy and Finance secretary, Lei Wai Nong, said "we have prepared to launch the consultation in the second half of the year” when addressing the media on Monday 15 March.
It had been speculated that any such work would be set aside until after legislative elections on 12 September, a timeline that fits with the recent confirmations.
The region’s six gaming licences are due to expire in 2022, and officials are understood to be considering gaming legislation amendments before any new issuances.
The Government had previously announced it expected any such changes to be submitted to the Legislative Assembly by Q4 2021. Such late movement, however, would leave precious little time for a public tendering process of the six licences, unless extensions are to be granted in the interim.
While its future will be up for later debate, gaming revenues in Macau are currently “stabilising,” according to secretary Lei. The region’s Government is understandably keen to build on this, and today announced a raft of stimulus measures to increase footfall – including discounted travel and accommodation for visitors from mainland China.
In the first two months of 2021, the city’s gaming industry contributed MOP6.32bn ($790m) in taxes, 67.7% of all such government revenue in the period. Lei further stated he expects the market to reach previously-made forecasts, despite the ongoing global pandemic.
