Macau’s gaming regulator said it will fine-tune the scope of non-gaming investments by casino operators this year, aiming to better align such projects with the city’s economic diversification goals.
In a written response to legislator Si Ka Lon, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said the Macau SAR government plans to guide gaming concessionaires to concentrate resources on initiatives that generate economic and social benefits while enhancing Macau’s international image.
‘After reviewing past non-gaming investment performance, the government will strengthen guidance for concessionaires to focus resources on projects with economic and social value and those that help enhance Macau’s brand image,’ the regulator said. As a result, ‘the scope of non-gaming investment will be fine-tuned.’
However, the bureau emphasized that the approval standards for non-gaming projects will remain unchanged, noting that investments must continue to support Macau’s development as a ‘world center of tourism and leisure’ while promoting moderate economic diversification and sustainable development.
The response followed questions raised by the lawmaker regarding the progress and effectiveness of casino operators’ non-gaming investment commitments under Macau’s new gaming concessions.
Under the current 10-year concession contracts signed at the end of 2022, Macau’s six gaming concessionaires pledged to invest approximately MOP108.7 billion ($13.5 billion) in non-gaming projects, covering areas such as conventions and exhibitions (MICE), cultural and entertainment activities, sports, and health-related industries. Operators also pledged to increase the share of international visitors to Macau.
Oversight and review
The DICJ said authorities have already strengthened oversight mechanisms, including optimizing top-level planning, improving cross-department coordination, and enhancing approval and monitoring procedures for annual investment plans submitted by operators. The government has also collected more targeted data to guide and evaluate project implementation.
DICJ Head Ng Wai Han added that concessionaires are being encouraged to allocate resources to key industries in the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, leveraging synergies between the two jurisdictions to support Macau’s industrial diversification.
The regulator also confirmed that it is currently reviewing the concessionaires’ overall performance between 2023 and 2025, in accordance with Macau’s amended gaming law. The review includes assessing operators’ fulfillment of social responsibilities, such as supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and prioritizing local hiring.
Meanwhile, Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has begun collecting and analyzing data to evaluate the economic impact of non-gaming investments, with plans to develop quantitative indicators to measure their contribution to the city’s development.
