The Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Mr Paulo Martins Chan, poses for a photograph after the session with representatives of 11 local associations representing casino employee interests.
Casino employees are a vital element in the development of the city’s gaming industry: the Government consequently strives to protect them from the risk of becoming problem gamblers. The Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Mr Paulo Martins Chan, said the Government always pays close attention to the possibility of negative influences affecting the community as a result of exposure to gaming. The Government will continuously enhance legislation in order to promote a healthy and sustainable development of the industry. Mr Chan made his comments during a meeting on Thursday (30 June) with representatives of 11 local associations representing casino employee interests. The meeting was to hear casino workers’ opinions – regarding possible revisions by the Government – to a law that regulates who can enter, work and gamble in the city’s casinos. The statute is Law No. 10/2012 - “Regulating the Conditions of Entering, Working and Gaming at Casinos”. In order to protect gaming employees from problem gambling, the Government is considering amending the law in order to bar casino workers from taking part in any gaming related activity inside casinos during non-work hours. At the meeting, the representatives of the associations indicated a general agreement with the idea, saying it would help minimise the risk of those workers becoming problem gamblers and would – in the long run – help maintain a healthy development of the gaming industry. The Government will meet with representatives of the gaming operators and with representatives of groups promoting responsible gaming, in order to hear their opinions on the suggested revision of the law. Members of the public are welcome to contribute their opinions regarding the potential revision of Law No. 10/2012 - “Regulating the Conditions of Entering, Working and Gaming at Casinos”. Opinion can be sent to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau via either: surface mail, to Avenida da Praia Grande, nos. 762-804, Edif. China Plaza, 21st floor; by telephone on +853 8397 3286; by fax on +853 2871 2331; or by email, to message@service.dicj.gov.mo.
