Macau: Public tender for gaming concessions may take place in 2021

“The government has announced that the current concessions will not be extended further. In other words, they will expire in 2022, and therefore we will have a public tender. My guess is that there will be a public tender will take place in 2021,” said the professor.

Godinho’s book covers the three main eras of Macau’s evolution as a gaming destination, divided into three periods, namely the fantan (a Chinese game similar to roulette) period from 1849 to 1961, the domination of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA (STDM),which spanned 40 years, and the current era, which started after 2001 and 2002 when the tender for three concessions and three sub-concessions were opened.

When asked if the decline in VIP gaming revenue would mark another new era, the professor explained that this was a long-term trend and would inevitably happen. “Actually, when in 2004, when the new casinos started to open, many people immediately said that would happen in a very short period of time, that in two of three years the mass market should grow a lot, and the mass market will grow a lot and the junkets will not be so important,” the expert explained. “But 15 years have passed, and it has not happened yet, but it will happen at some point.” Mr. Godinho added.

Regarding the prediction made by the Managing Director and Head of Asia Equity Research, Macau at Union Gaming Grant Govertsen that Suncity would be a top contender for a 7th gaming license, Mr. Godinho said that it was a “natural step” for the junket group.

However, the expert emphasized that even if Suncity Group was not to obtain the license in Macau, the junket was moving towards becoming a casino operator particularly due to its activities in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.