Wynn Macau is under investigation for a possible breach of the city’s smoking regulations, according to Macau’s Health Bureau.
In a statement released late last week, the Health Bureau said a joint investigation with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) had revealed that, “The casino joined some smoking areas (VIP rooms) and non-smoking areas (corridors) with no clear separation between them.” It followed a complaint that Wynn Macau was failing to comply with smoking regulations implemented in 2012 which set clear guidelines as to which areas smoking is allowed in.
Wynn faces a fine of between MOP$10,000 and MOP$100,000 if found guilty.
Smoking in casinos has been a hot topic in Macau in recent years, with the government banning smoking from main gaming floors in October 2014.
In July this year, the Macau Legislative Assembly approved its revised tobacco bill, banning smoking in VIP gaming areas and applying stricter technical requirements to smoking lounges in Macau’s casinos.
The updated Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control, which comes into effect from 1 January 2018, will give operators one year in which to implement the new measures, including the installation of smoking lounges without gaming facilities in or near VIP areas. Precise guidelines in regards to smoking lounges were subsequently released last week, requiring smoking lounges to be at least three meters from gaming tables and ETGs. The guidelines also require smoking lounges to include a “negative pressure” system and automated, single entrance sliding doors.
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