Macau's Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng issued Chief Executive Dispatch No. 205/2022 on November 25, 2022, provisionally awarding the territory's six casino gaming concessions to MGM Grand Paradise, Galaxy Casino, Venetian Macau, Melco Resorts (Macau), Wynn Resorts (Macau) and SJM Resorts1.
The dispatch states that the number of concessions on offer was six, and that seven bidders had their tenders accepted in the latest public tender1. The award followed a consultation and negotiation stage, after which the casino gaming concession public tender committee set up under Chief Executive Dispatch No. 135/2022 compiled and submitted a reasoned report to the Chief Executive1. The dispatch cites Article 50 of the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Article 11(1) of Law No. 16/2001 (the legal regime for casino gaming concessions) and Article 82(2) and (3) of Administrative Regulation No. 26/20011.
The six provisional awardees, as named in the dispatch, are:
| Company (as named in the dispatch) |
|---|
| MGM Grand Paradise Limited |
| Galaxy Casino Company Limited |
| Venetian Macau Limited |
| Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited |
| Wynn Resorts (Macau) Limited |
| SJM Resorts Limited |
The dispatch says the Chief Executive considered the report's contents, in particular its conclusions and recommendations, and judged the tenders submitted by these six companies to be the most beneficial to the Macau Special Administrative Region1.
"將娛樂場幸運博彩經營批給臨時判給予該等參與競投公司"
The dispatch does not name the seventh bidder whose tender was accepted but which did not receive a provisional award, and it does not state the reasons for the choice between the seven accepted tenders beyond the reference to the committee's report1. The dispatch also does not set out the duration of the concessions, the premium or tax terms, or the investment commitments attached to each award; those details have not been reported in this document1.
What it means for players
The award is provisional, so the operating position of Macau's casinos is not yet final under this dispatch1. For anyone gambling in Macau, whether a local, an expat or a visitor, the practical effect at this stage is limited: the dispatch concerns which companies hold the right to operate casino gaming, not the rules players face at the tables or the machines. The dispatch does not address player-facing matters such as entry requirements, game rules, payout terms or dispute procedures1. Background on how Macau's concessions and casino licensing work is set out in the guide to gambling regulators and licenses in Asia and in types of gambling licenses explained. For general visitor questions, see Can I Gamble in Macau?.
What happens next
The dispatch is dated November 25, 2022, and describes the award as provisional1. The document does not state when the concessions take effect, when final awards will be confirmed, or what steps remain before the provisional award becomes definitive1.
Sources1 sources
- 澳門特別行政區 政府博彩監察協調局, dicj.gov.mo
