Macau Government Sets Up Bid Committee For Casino Licenses
According to reports, the government for casino-dense Macau residents was tasked with setting up a special committee and overseeing the process of granting a new decade of concessions to six existing clubs consisting of locally licensed operators in Macau. According to a report by GGRAsia, the nine-member Fortune Council's tender for concessions for casino game operations involves leaders from several government departments, including Lei Wai Nong, the city's economy and finance minister, and Adriano Marques Ho, the director of gaming inspection and coordination. Sources detailed that the agency, which also includes Andre Chung Weng Chon, the administrative and legal minister of the former Portuguese residence, will be responsible for analyzing and implementing all measures related to the upcoming permit of any casino operator. Prominent player: Macau is reportedly home to nearly 40 casinos run by Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited, SJM Holdings Limited, MGM China Holdings Limited, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited, and casinos run by local Win Macau Limited and Sands China Limited of Las Vegas Sands Limited, respectively. The six pairs' original 20-year licenses reportedly expired at the end of June, but they can purchase a special six-month extension due to end at the end of the year. Great assemblies: Hoy Lai Phong, secretary general of the Macau Executive Committee, is said to hold a seat in the lucky committee's open bid for concessions to run casino games, as is Elsie Aoyoung U, minister of social and cultural affairs. Membership was reportedly held by Maria Helena de Sena Fernandez, the head of the Macau government's tourism agency, Sit Chong Meng, the head of the judicial police department, Tai Kin Yip, the director of economic and technological development, and Lai Wong Leung, the director of the land and urban construction bureau. Macau's legislative council reportedly approved a new bill last month that would amend the local gambling law and grant 10 years of casino licenses to up to six operators. All six current operators are expected to take part in the new process, with sources further saying the campaign will begin early next month before the winning bidder is selected in November or December. Sub-situation: As part of the process, the Fortune Commission's open bid for casino game operations reportedly established a Fortune Sector Expert Committee to support Macau's chief executive, Ho Iat Seng, in drafting game-related policies.