Macao's government announced in late November 2022 that the territory's six incumbent casino operators would receive new 10-year gaming licenses, running from 2023 to the end of 2032. Newcomer Genting, which had submitted documents alongside the six original operators in September, did not succeed in its bid1.
The agreements were signed three weeks after the announcement. Under the new terms, gaming taxes rose from 39 percent to 40 percent, and the license period was cut from twenty years to ten, with assessments every three years. Macao's chief executive gained the power to revoke a license in the event of a threat to national security, and operators must seek approval before expanding to new jurisdictions or issuing dividends to shareholders1.
"In late November 2022, the government announced its decision. ... Happily, the six were awarded new 10-year gaming licenses, which started in 2023 and expired at the end of 2032. Newcomer Genting's bid had not succeeded"
The six concessionaires collectively pledged to spend at least 108.7 billion patacas (US$13.5 billion) on non-gaming facilities and infrastructure over the course of their licenses. If Macao's total annual gaming revenues reach 180 billion patacas just once in the first five years, each operator's non-gaming spending would have to rise by another 20 percent, taking the combined commitment to 130 billion patacas (US$16.2 billion)1.
The government also adjusted the number of gaming tables each operator may run1:
| Operator | Tables before | Tables after |
|---|---|---|
| MGM | 550 | 750 |
| Sands | 1,680 | 1,680 |
| Galaxy | not stated | not stated |
| Wynn | 670 | 570 |
| Melco | 950 | 750 |
| SJM | 2,000 | 1,250 |
SJM's reduction was in part due to the permanent closure of 10 satellite casinos, and Galaxy's decline followed the closure of two satellite casinos1.
What it means for players
The six operators running casinos in Macao are the same six that held licenses before 2023, so the venues, brands and floors open to gamblers are unchanged by the award itself. What changed is the terms under which those operators hold their licenses, including higher gaming tax and a shorter license period with assessments every three years1. The table reductions above mean the mix of tables and machines across the six operators differs from the previous entitlement, with MGM gaining 200 tables and SJM losing 7501. Macao's gambling rules and licensing framework are set by the territory's government, and the regulators and licensing guide explains how Asian jurisdictions award and supervise casino licenses.
What happens next
The licenses run to the end of 2032, with assessments every three years1. The non-gaming spending commitment rises by 20 percent if annual gaming revenues hit 180 billion patacas once in the first five years; the government's own expectation for 2024 was 216 billion patacas (US$26.8 billion)1. No further licensing round has been reported.
