Gambling in Macau
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Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850's when the Portuguese government legalized the activity in the colony. Since then Macau has become known worldwide as the "Monte Carlo of the Orient", and gambling has become a significant part of the city's economy. Until Western-style casino games were introduced in the 20th century only Chinese games were played, the most popular being fantan. Now, with all the casinos built in the territory including a few number of new ones (some of them are Las Vegas giant companies) opening up soon, Macau is also known as the Asian Las Vegas.
The first casino monopoly concession was granted to the Tai Xing Company in 1937. The company was, however, too conservative to fully exploit the economic potential of gambling. In 1961, the government granted the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) the monopoly rights to all forms of gambling. The licence was extended in 1986 for another 15 years but expired at the end of 2001. Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau was found by Stanley Ho, Teddy Yip, Yip Hon and Henry Fok but is now owned only by Stanley Ho and his family.
In 2002, the Macau government ended the monopoly system and 3 (later 6) casino operating concessions (and subconcessions) are granted to Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM, an 80% owned subsidiary of STDM), Wynn Resorts (Macau), Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Casino, the partnership of Pansy Ho and MGM, and the partnership of Melco and PBL. Today, there are sixteen casinos operated by the STDM, and they are still crucial to the casino industry in Macau, but in Macau 2004, the opening of the Sands ushered in the new era.
Gambling in Macau plays an important role in the economy of the city. Many Hong Kong and mainland tourists like gambling there. Few local people in Macau visit casinos though. Generally, gambling in Macau can be divided into three different categories: casino games, horse racing and greyhound racing. There is also sports betting and a number of lotteries. At the present time Macau does not license online gaming operations.
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[edit] Economic aspects
The so-called "Monte Carlo of the Orient", Macau's economy relies heavily on gambling. Nowadays, the gambling industry generates over 40% of the GDP of Macau. Since the early 1960s, around 50% of Macau's official revenue has been driven by gambling. The percentage remained steady until the late 1990s. In 1998, 44.5% of total government revenue was produced by the direct tax on gambling. Then there was a 9.1% decrease in 1999, probably due to internet gaming. After the handover of the Macau from Portugal to China, the SAR released gambling licenses to other companies in order to eliminate the monopoly played by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau. In 2002, the government signed concession contracts with two Macau gaming companies, Wynn Resort Ltd. and Galaxy Casino. This opened the gambling market for competition and increased government tax revenue significantly. It also attracted more tourists to Macau. At this moment, according to official statistics, gambling taxes form 64% of Macau's government income.
However, the gambling industry is also a source of instability in the Macau economy, as the nature of gambling business is not susceptible to technological advancement or productivity growth. The gambling business is still dependent on the prosperity of other Asian economies, especially that of Hong Kong.
[edit] Gambling forms
[edit] Gaming policy
Detailed law is enforced in Macau to ensure "qualified operation of gambling" in Macau. The details are listed in Law 16/2001 (regime jurídico da exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar em casino), and other laws regulating the activity of gaming promoters and credit for gaming.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (kown as DICJ) is the main government unit that oversees the operation of different gaming activities.
Under Macau law, it stated that a permit issued by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau is required for the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw or similar activities, and the initial procedure in the application on the operation of lotteries sales, lucky draw or similar activities is to submit a notification to the relevant government department 10 days prior to the application.
[edit] Casinos
Macau has at least seventeen casinos, of which the biggest is the Casino Lisboa. They all operate under a government franchise and under a common set of rules.
Though many forms of gambling are legal there, such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, boule, Sic bo, Fan-Tan, keno and tiger machines(slot machines). The most popular game by far is baccarat with VIP high-roller baccarat generating more than 70% of total gaming revenue in 2004.
Gambling has been legal in Macau for a long time. From 1851 to 1863, there was a licensing system for gambling houses. Until 1934, casino's ownership and operation was centralized. Through private negotiations, some franchises monopolized the operation right of all casinos. The casino industry has been controlled by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) monopoly for 39 years. This changed in 2001 when casino licenses were offered to other casino operators, including American companies like Las Vegas Sands (Sheldon Adelson) and Wynn Resorts (Steve Wynn).
On May 18, 2004, the Sands Macau casino opened near the Macau Ferry Terminal.
| Name | Opening Hours | Size | Special Features |
| Casino Lisboa | 24 hours | 107 slots and 146 table games | Hotel with 1,000 rooms and 6 restaurants |
| Casa Real Casino | 24 hours | 123 slots and 53 table games | Hotel with 381 rooms and 2 restaurants |
| Grandview Casino | 24 hours | 51 table games | Hotel with 407 rooms and 2 restaurants |
| Casino Macau Palace | 24 hours | 51 slots and 12 table games | |
| Jai Alai Casino | 24 hours | 208 slots and 59 table games | |
| Kam Pek Casino | 24 hours | 71 slots and 24 table games | |
| Kingsway Hotel & Casino | 12:00pm - 4:00am | 20 slots and 8 table games | Hotel with 410 rooms |
| Mandarin Oriental Casino[1] | 12:00pm - 4:00am | 59 slots and 11 table games | Hotel with 437 rooms and 6 restaurants |
| New Century Hotel & Casino | 24 hours | 19 table games | Hotel with 554 rooms |
| The Legend Club | 24 hours | 108 slots and 10 table games | |
| Sands Macau | 24 hours | 165,000 square feet | 21 suite VIP hotel |
| Golden Dragon Casino | 24 hours | Unknown | |
| Greek Mythology Casino | 24 hours | Unknown | |
| MGM Grand Macau | 24 hours | Unknown | Opening 2007 |
[edit] Horse racing
Other than casinos, there is betting at the Macau Jockey Club and the dog-racing Canidrome.
Horse-racing mainly takes place every Tuesday and Saturday or Sunday at the race-course on the Taipa Island of Macau. The race-course has an area of 450,000 square metres and 18,000 seats for gamblers, and is open only for people over 18 years of age.
The Macau Jockey Club was formerly the Macau Trotting Club. In 1991, it was acquired by a consortium led by Dr Stanley Ho. The Macau Jockey Club is one of the largest private employers of Macau with around 1,400 employees and around 1,100 part-timers.
| Year | Number of Visitors | overall betting turnover |
| 89/90 | 268,561 | 462,642,000 |
| 90/91 | 305,957 | 637,308,000 |
| 91/92 | 349,845 | 979,940,000 |
| 92/93 | 353,730 | 1,296,616,000 |
| 93/94 | 324,953 | 1,296,133,000 |
| 94/95 | 367,185 | 1,521,334,000 |
| 95/96 | 376,487 | 2,285,331,000 |
| 96/97 | 352,440 | 2,635,168,000 |
| 97/98 | 369,957 | 3,421,173,000 |
| 98/99 | 325,444 | 3,576,040,000 |
| 99/00 | 306,319 | 3,567,430,000 |
| 00/01 | 284,569 | 4,019,742,000 |
| 01/02 | 330,298 | 3,263,321,000 |
| 02/03 | 308,168 | 3,297,540,000 |
Location of the Race-course and the Canidrome
Ways of betting
- On-course Betting
There are over 210 betting terminals "on-course". All terminals can perform sell and pay functions. Punters may bet in Hong Kong dollars or Macau patacas. Bets are accepted up to the start of each race. Punters may place a bet by oral instructions or by filling a ticket.
- Off-course Betting
There are over 80 betting terminals in the Off-Course Betting Centres. 14 Off-course Betting Centres are located in popular districts of Macau and Taipa.
- Internet betting
The Internet betting service commenced on 20 September 2003. Customers can review the Club's internet betting website at www.macauhorsebet.com.
- Telephone Services
There are over 600 telephone service terminals and a total of over 38,000 telebet accounts. The winning dividend of account holders may at their instructions be automatically transferred to their bank accounts. For enquiries and opening of telephone service accounts, patrons are welcome to call at 8631338 (Macau).
- Fast Access Terminals (FAT)
Launched in June 1997, the personal betting terminal, FAT (Fast Access Terminal) offers betting, calculation of bet units, record tracking of bets, account enquiry, withdrawal instructions and other related information on races such as declaration and race-odds. Close to 1,000 customers are currently using FAT.
- Hong Kong Service Centres
Three service centres are now set up in Hong Kong including Shaukeiwan Service Centre, Sheung Wan Service Centre and Mongkok Service Centre.
[edit] Greyhound Racing
Greyhound Racing takes place at the Canidrome on Avenida General Castelo Branco (see image above for the location of the canidrome). These races are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends starting from 7:45 p.m. and there are 16 games on every racing evenings. Admission is MOP$10 (usable for betting) for the public stand. Boxes are MOP$80 (Monday to Thursday) and MOP$120 (Friday to Sunday and Public Holidays) with a minimum charge of MOP$30 per person. Bar, snack-bars and restaurant facilities are available.
Players can bet inside the greyhound racing centre, or in off-course betting centres located in the Hotel Lisboa, Jai-Alai Palace and Kam Pek Casino.
[edit] Gambling and society
The casino industry is viewed by some as harmful to society. A high crime rate was one of the biggest problems that Macau's colonial Portuguese government had to face. Since Macau's return to China's rule in 1999, the public security siuation has markedly improved. With the growth of the casino industry, a business called "bate-ficha" was developed and it is usually run by different triad societies. The bate-ficha business is an element of triad involvement in Macau's gambling industry. Bate-ficha involves selling customers "dead chips" that cannot be exchanged for cash in the casinos, but only by bate-ficha men or women, who are officially known as "gaming promoters" or "middlemen." for a commission. (See external link below for a more detailed explanation of bate-ficha).
Triad involvement in Macau casinos makes a serious social impact on the local area. It attracts the attention of Chinese gangsters, whose deadly battles over the fortunes to be made from racketeering and extortion in the territory are a continuing problem. As different triad societies compete for controlled territory in the casinos and on the streets, disputes between societies occur from time to time. These are often settled in violent ways. Even worse, triad societies have grown so powerful in Macau that there was a trend that people tried to seek help from these societies rather than from the Police. Although the situation has improved since the 1999 handover to China, the problem is still enrooted in the local area.
