Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Economy and Finance Secretary Lionel Leong Vai-tac said Tuesday that the region should consider developing new entertainment facilities to make Macao more attractive following the continuous decline in gambling revenue.
Leong said the government had noticed that mainland tourists usually prefer to visit Macao during short holidays rather than long holidays. During the Easter holiday in April some mainland tourists chose to visit Japan and South Korea instead of Macao, while the region saw more mainland visitors during the three-day Labor Day holiday in May.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau recently published the latest gambling revenue figures. It shows that gambling revenues in April fell to 19.1 billion patacas, a 38.8 percent drop from the same period last year, making it the 11th consecutive month of decline.
Leong suggested that gambling enterprises develop non-gambling entertainment facilities to Macao more attractive and increase the number of visitors.
Also, with the new tourist spots "Galaxy Macau" and a refurbished "Broadway Macau" opening this month, Leong said it is likely that visitors will be more willing to stay in Macao during long holidays in the future.
Galaxy Macau, a world-class Asian resort, and Broadway Macau, a center of entertainment and culture, are expected to open on May 27. Galaxy Entertainment Group (CEG) said the projects hope to boost the region's image as one of the world's leisure and tourism centers.
Meanwhile, Leong said an interim review of the gaming industry has begun. The review will focus on the development of the region's small and medium enterprises and the duties of gambling enterprises.
Ng Kuok-cheong, a legislator, told the Global Times that many gambling enterprises are planning to invest in new projects in the region, and the government should consider developing other support industries to sustain the region's development.
Su Guojing, director of the Asian Responsible Gaming Alliance (AGGA), told the Global Times Wednesday that a continuous decline of the VIP rooms business of casinos, which makes up to 60 to 70 percent of all gambling revenue in the region, continues to be the main factor.
"The tightening of visa rules, the central government's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, the no smoking policy in casinos and economic decline in the mainland all contribute to the continuous decline in gambling revenue," he said.
