Macau (MNA) – Mr. Godinho believes that if the gaming concessions of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) and MGM China Holdings Ltd., which expire in 2020, were not to be extended to 2022 to match the remaining concessions ending, the “situation would become too complex” with a public tender held in different periods “not benefitting the governments, the operators or the residents”.
The 20-year gaming licences granted to Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Sands China Ltd. (Sands China), Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. and Galaxy Entertainment Group are all due to expire in 2022.
Macau SAR gaming law allows for the Chief Executive to make an exceptional extension of the duration period of a gaming concession if it has reached the maximum 20-year period by one or more times, not exceeding a total of five years.
“However, this exceptional extension is supposed to be more in the event of a large scale disaster […] In theory, gaming licences could be extended for 10,15 or 20 years without a public tender,” he added.
The gaming expert also considered that a new public tender with “five or less” candidates “won’t happen”, and that a public tender with six candidates “wouldn’t be worth it if the purpose is just to maintain the same operators, that could just see their concessions extended”.
“Therefore, having a public tender only makes sense if accepting seven or more candidates,” Mr. Godinho concluded.
The gaming law experts also believes future gaming concession contracts could include “commercial developments in Hengqin”.
“In legal terms, extra-territorial investment is possible. There’re already plans for easing vehicle traffic between Macau and Hengqin. However, of course these investments would only be in hotels or non-gaming elements,” the gaming law expert emphasised.
