The "Interim Review of Gaming Liberalization for Games of Fortune" Research Report released today
The “Interim Review of Gaming Liberalization for Games of Fortune in Macao: economical, social, livelihood impacts and operating conditions of the Concessionaires” research report is released today (11 May). The study covered nine research topics in four categories, including the contractual and operating conditions of Concessionaires and Subconcessionaires; economical, social and livelihood impacts of the development of the gaming industry; and current situation of junket promoters. After analysing the relevant data and statistics, the research team concluded that the six gaming operators have all fulfilled the capital commitment in their contracts. Development of the gaming industry has obviously created positive impact on the economy and society of Macao and at the same time negative impact. Proportion of local employees in gaming operators is much higher than that of overseas employees. Non-compliance in a number of areas also showed a downward trend. Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance commissioned the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, University of Macau to conduct a research titled “Interim Review of Gaming Liberalization for Games of Fortune in Macao: economical, social, livelihood impacts and operating conditions of the Concessionaires”, in order to have a comprehensive review of the implementation of gaming concessions and to analyse the level of impact that the development of the gaming industry had on the local economy, business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as to the society and the public. It also studied the synergetic effect between gaming and non-gaming elements, as well as the development and current situation of junket promoters since gaming liberalization. The research will help review the operating conditions of the gaming industry in Macao and the fulfilment of corporate social responsibility by the gaming operators, which will be an important reference for further improvement of gaming laws, regulations and regulatory framework to promote quality and integrity in gaming operations, and in turn its healthy development. One of the core research directions was to collate and analyze the fulfilment of contracts and their operating conditions by Concessionaires and Subconcessionaires (including the fulfilment of the contract, operating conditions, social responsibility and compliance status). The report stated that the six gaming operators have all fulfilled the capital commitment in their contracts. Majority of their employees were in the gaming field, the overall proportion of local employees is much higher than that of overseas employees. Besides, all of the six gaming operators provided opportunities for upward and lateral mobility to their employees, in which the proportion of local employees of managerial grade or above increased from around 60% in 2008 to 80% in 2014. Research analysis was also conducted on various areas such as the gaming operator's number of employees, upward and lateral mobility situation, changes in salary and training. Analysis of the research shown that the development of the gaming industry had positive impact on Macao's society and economy and synergetic effect was found alongside the gaming and non-gaming elements. Nonetheless, negative impact such as pushing up the inflation rate, housing prices and business operating costs, creating crowding out effects on SMEs and affecting social values were created, which need to be continuously monitored and dealt with. Despite the positive role of junket promoters in the development process of the gaming industry, there are still bound to be problematic areas which needs stronger regulatory effort in order to enable a healthy and orderly development of the industry. In terms of compliance status, the number of non-compliance cases in the six gaming operators shown a downward trend. Cases of non-compliance include internal control and reporting deficiencies in prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; execution of “Minimum Internal Control Requirements” and “Guidelines on Responsible Gambling ”. As assessment of corporate social responsibility varies in different places, therefore, when the research team evaluates the fulfilment of corporate social responsibility by the six gaming operators in Macao, the first criteria lies on the demands of the local community towards the gaming corporations, such as: transportation/accommodation arrangements for overseas employees, supporting SMEs, local procurement and development of non-gaming elements, etc. In addition, the research team has also referred to common international assessment criteria and selected consumer issues and social engagement & development as the two assessment topics for comparison. Analysis shown that all of the six gaming operators had transportation arrangement for their employees. They had also established mechanisms to handle consumer issues. Several gaming operators have supported SMEs by giving priority to local SMEs in procurement of services or products.