Good morning. A red badge for junket employees. Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has heightened scrutiny on junket operations, requiring administrative management members and employees to wear work permit badges in casinos, with hefty fines up to $62,150 for non-compliance. U Io Hung, president of the Macau Professional Association of Gaming Promoters, expressed concern over these fines, noting that the current commission structure makes it difficult for junkets to bear such costs. Meanwhile, the Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has indicated the country’s authorities are preparing two major crackdowns on the online gambling industry.
What you need to know
- Macau junket veteran doubts the heavy fines for not using work badges in casinos, noting that the fine amount doesn’t align with their income.
- The Philippines is preparing to launch two major crackdowns on the online gambling industry, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
On the radar
- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra backs the IR initiative.
- Macau’s 1H24 GDP up 15.7%, reached $25B for first time since 2019.
- Crackdown on Chinese-run scam center under POGO license in Manila.
- Philippines prepares two major raids on the online gambling industry.
- Konami announces new compliance and accounting appointments.
- Macau’s lower-end base mass gaming has remains weak: Seaport.
AGB Intelligence
MACAU
Macau junket chief slams $62K penalties for failing to use work badges
Macau’s gaming watchdog has ramped up enforcement of regulations, with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) now requiring junket operators and their staff to wear work permit badges in casinos, with fines of up to $62,150 for non-compliance. U Io Hung, president of the Macau Professional Association of Gaming Promoters, expressed concerns over the financial burden these fines place on junket operators, given their modest commission structure. He also questioned why junkets face disproportionately high penalties compared to other industries, especially as unlicensed activities seem to go unpunished.
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