An executive at one of Macau’s satellite casinos told media on Wednesday that they have yet to hold any discussions with either the government or concessionaires around the transition to the city’s new satellite law when it comes into effect next year.
As reported by IAG, the new law will mean the operators of Macau’s 11 satellite casinos will no longer be allowed to engage in revenue share agreements with concessionaires and will instead only be permitted to receive a fixed management fee.
However, the executive said Wednesday that the government has not yet entered into the situation and that concessionaires had not yet responded to satellite casino operator’s requests for clarity.
“It’s almost March now,” he said. “Satellite casinos work with a lot of other companies, including some outsourcing contracts which are now beginning to be discussed.
“For example, for cleaning and other services we have to start discussions now with the outsourcing companies.”
Under the new law, satellite casino operators will essentially be given the option to rent out the property and establish casino operations much like a tenant would any other business, although the casino will still run under the relevant concessionaire’s gaming concession.
The executive said most satellite casino operators were of the view that the rent should be determined flexibly – possibly on a monthly basis based on gaming volume.
He also noted that Macau’s 11 satellite casinos have more than 10,000 employees combined across various departments.
“Satellite casinos generally have borrowed from banks, so if they close down it will have a certain impact on the financial environment,” he added, revealing that some banks had already made enquiries with satellite casinos about their situation.
Legislative councilor Lei Leong Wong, who has previously raised a written question on the issue, said again that he hoped the government would intervene as soon as possible because a large number of employees and shops in the vicinity of satellite casinos were involved.
“When the Government intervenes, it should deal with the matter in the direction of the continued operation of the satellite casino, so as to protect the employment of the employees of the satellite casino,” Lei said.
