Macau’s authorities are taking steps to gather data and evaluate non-gaming investment projects initiated by the city’s six casino concessionaires. The move comes as part of the government’s efforts to monitor and assess the effectiveness of these projects. The data collection will be facilitated through a customized questionnaire, and the evaluation process will focus on non-gaming initiatives undertaken by casino operators.
Data Collection and Assessment Plans
Following a plenary meeting of Macau’s Consultative Committee of Statistics, the government revealed its intentions to introduce a specialized questionnaire for casino concessionaires. The questionnaire will enable the Statistics and Census Service to gather comprehensive information on the non-gaming investments made by the casino operators. Simultaneously, the bureau will work on evaluating the outcomes and impact of these non-gaming projects.
Investment Commitments and Growth
Under their new concession contracts, Macau’s six casino operators are committed to investing MOP108.7 billion (US$13.49 billion) collectively in non-gaming initiatives and overseas marketing endeavors. The city’s strong recovery in gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to trigger a government requirement for these operators to increase their pledged investments by up to 20% over the duration of their 10-year concessions. Observers suggest that such increased investment commitments are manageable and may contribute to market development.
Reporting and Approval Process
To facilitate monitoring and approval, each operator is required to submit their planned non-gaming investment and implementation plan for the upcoming calendar year by the end of September annually. The government will review and approve these proposals as part of its oversight responsibilities.
Supporting Local Initiatives
Additionally, the Macau government has established a “referral mechanism” to assist local associations in connecting with casino operators to explore potential non-gaming projects related to culture or sports. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between operators and the local community in promoting cultural and sports-related initiatives.
Macau’s proactive approach to data collection and project evaluation underscores its commitment to overseeing non-gaming investments by casino concessionaires. By implementing a tailored questionnaire and conducting assessments, the government aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and the successful execution of these projects, ultimately benefiting the city’s broader development.