Wynn Macau Ltd has plans to develop a theater, an interactive center, and an event space, among other non-gaming attractions in the region under its new 10-year license. The company revealed its plans at a press briefing on December 17, 2022, which was also attended by representatives from the five other casino operators who were granted new 10-year concessions by the Macau government.

Focus on Non-Gaming Initiatives

Wynn stated that it would spend over $2 billion on a variety of non-gaming initiatives to attract more foreign visitors to Macau. Among them is building a theater, an event and entertainment center, and an art gallery. 

Wynn Resorts Macau chief financial officer and chief administrative officer Craig Jeffrey Fullalove also said the company would explore opportunities that would promote Macau’s community and maritime tourism. 

Wynn Committed to Boosting Foreign Visitor Numbers

Given its “significant international network”, Wynn is confident it can deliver on the Macau government’s goal to increase the volume of overseas visitors to the region, which was also among the key requirements of the new 10-year gaming concession. 

Wynn Macau Ltd operates two casinos in Macau – Wynn Resorts Macau and Wynn Palace in Cotai. Its ultimate parent is Wynn Resorts Ltd which is based in Nevada, USA.

Macau is pushing on with its tax incentive policy designed to boost the number of foreign customers visiting the city’s casinos. As part of new regulations announced by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), casino concessionaires will be required to create special gaming zones and chips exclusively for overseas patrons. 

Casinos Could be Eligible for up to 5% Tax Incentive

Operators that can attract more foreigners to their respective gaming venues could enjoy up to 5% gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax reduction, subject to approval from the Chief Executive. DICJ director Adriane Marques Ho stated during a press conference on December 9 that the main purpose of creating a designated zone for foreigners inside casinos is to determine the amount of revenue generated by overseas visitors.

Andre Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Administration and Justice, who was also present during the media briefing, said the tax incentive system will help casino operators mitigate the high costs of bringing more foreign customers to Macau. 

New Tax System Kicks In on January 1, 2023

The tax reduction will only be applicable to GGR generated in the special gambling zones. Mr. Ho noted that the DICJ will provide further guidelines for operators as to the conditions that must be fulfilled before admitting a foreign patron into the special zone.

The new regulations will take effect from January 1, 2023.

Ireland finally published its Gambling Regulation Bill on December 2, 2022, a move welcomed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). In a recent statement posted on its website, the trade association said the publication of the Bill is a “significant milestone” for Ireland.

EGBA Fully Supports Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill

Under the new legislation, Ireland’s gambling sector will fall under the remit of a new regulatory body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), with Anne Marie Caulfield, former director of the Residential Tenancies Board, serving as Chief Executive.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer said the EBGA fully supports the new regulations which will bring Ireland’s gambling regulatory framework up to par with other EU jurisdictions. 

Major gambling operators in the country, including Flutter Entertainment, also welcome the new Bill, which also proposes the creation of a self-exclusion scheme for customers at risk of gambling harm, as well as requirements regarding advertising, promotions, and sponsorships. 

Bill Could Become Law in 2023

The use of credit cards for gambling transactions will be prohibited, and children and minors won’t be allowed to participate in any form of gambling. A social fund will also be established to fund problem gambling research, education, and treatment programs.

The Gambling Regulation Bill will still be debated at the Oireachtas, which is comprised of the Dáil Éireann (lower house), the Seanad Éireann (upper house), and the President. The legislation is likely to be approved into law in late 2023.

Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, the former boss of the now-defunct Macau junket operator Suncity Group Ltd, will be sentenced on January 18, 2023. Chau, along with 20 other individuals charged with illegal gaming, fraud, and money laundering, will learn their verdicts on the said date, as announced by presiding judge Lou leng Ha.

Chau Maintains Innocence

Chau and his co-defendants allegedly ran an illegal gambling operation involving under-the-table “multiplier” bets from 2013 to 2021. The scheme had allowed Chau and his group to avoid paying approximately HKD8.26 billion (US$1.05 billion) in tax to the Macau government. 

The former junket mogul denied the allegations, saying there was no need for Suncity to engage in such illicit operations for financial gains as it was making “huge income” from its legal junket business. 

Macau Casinos Seeking Compensation from Chau

Among the plaintiffs in the case are existing casino operators in Macau, including MGM China Holdings Ltd, Wynn Macau Ltd, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, Sands China Ltd, and SJM Holdings Ltd. The companies claim to have incurred massive revenue losses stemming from the under-the-table betting operations and are seeking millions of US dollars in civil damages.

Chau was arrested by Macau authorities in November 2021 and has been in police detention since. Following Chau’s arrest, Suncity ceased its junket operations across the region. 

Jeju Island in South Korea is among Asia’s top casino destinations, attracting a huge number of visitors from neighboring countries each year. Traditionally, most of the tourists traveling to Jeju were Chinese nationals, but things changed when COVID-19 hit. 

Drop in Chinese Visitors Expected

With pandemic-related travel restrictions still in effect in Mainland China and with the Chinese government now getting tougher on casino gambling, the government in Jeju recognizes the need for it to determine other potential tourist source markets. 

Ko Byoung Hun from Jeju’s Casino Policy Division said among their tourism strategies at the moment is to attract visitors from Japan, Taiwan, and the South Asian market. In particular, they’re targeting the wealthy “baby boomers” from Japan and are also banking on Jeju’s junkets to boost visitor numbers for the short term.

Jeju’s casinos are open only to foreigners, with locals not allowed to engage in any gambling activity at all of the properties. There are currently eight casinos operating on the island; however, some of them have remained closed since the pandemic. 

Jeju Govt. Striving to Address Local Anti-Casino Sentiment 

Casino operators have called on the Jeju government to relax some casino restrictions to drive more visitors to the island, but Mr. Ko said any changes to the law should be made with the public in mind, citing the ongoing anti-casino sentiment among locals.