Inside Asian Gaming

December 2011 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 45 Briefs non-gaming components. With this in mind, we believe that there will almost certainly be exceptions to the cap, such as not applying the cap to the pipeline of Cotai projects that were submitted for approval prior to the government’s 2008 freeze on new land concessions (i.e. the three concessionaires waiting for government land approval, MGM China, SJM Holdings and Wynn Macau).” UnionGamingMacau summarised the other government policies impacting gaming either reiterated or announced by Mr Tam during his meeting with the legislature: • Banning slot parlors from residential areas. • Enforcing the junket commission cap of 1.25% of rolling chip volume (although no mention was made of any sort of cap on junket commissions generated via revenue share, which Union Gaming Macau estimates accounts for approximately 80% of VIP play). • Increasing the monitoring of the slot floors and implementing procedures that will provide the DICJ (gaming control board) with a minimum of 90% of the slot machine data collected by casino operators • Tightening the control of junket operations and building a database to hold information on junkets and their partners (no specific details were provided). • Enhancing the availability of surveillance system and facilities on casino floors and ensuring all cage operations are covered by CCTV by the end of 2012. • Promoting responsible gaming. Former Sands China General Counsel joins Macau law firm MdME Luis Mesquita de Melo— formerly Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Sands China Ltd— has joined leading Macau law firm MdME. Mr de Melo becomes a partner at the company, and will specialise in gaming-related matters. Mr de Melo began his relationship with Las Vegas Sands Corp in 2005 when he became Associate General Counsel of Venetian Macau Ltd. From June 2008 to January 2009 he was Managing Director, Venetian Macau Ltd. Simultaneously from September 2008 he was Senior Vice President, Board Director & General Counsel, Venetian Macau Ltd—a role he held until October 2009 when he was promoted to EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary, continuing in that role until December 2010. During his time with LVS, Mr de Melo had a leading legal role in the opening of The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel and The Plaza, the group’s second integrated resort in Macau SAR with a Four Seasons Hotel, the Plaza Casino, a high-end retail mall, and a serviced apartments tower. Mr de Melo also advised on two credit facilities totalling US$5.05 billion to finance the construction and development of The Venetian Macao, The Four Seasons Hotel, and Cotai parcels 5&6 (now branded Sands Cotai Central and due to have a first phase opening in mid- April 2012). He also successfully conducted an initial public offering of equity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of all LVS’s Macau businesses through the listing of Sands China Ltd, raising US$2.5 billion. Mr de Melo managed all the group’s legal matters including, but not limited to, gaming regulatory compliance and internal controls, hotel operations-related issues, retail, MICE business, transportation, high-speed ferry operations between Macau and Hong Kong, day- to-day commercial contracts, labour and employment issues. Abbiati wins order for 200,000 chips from Sands China Abbiati Casino Equipment says it has finalised an order for 200,000 chips from Sands China. The order is for the operator’s Sands Cotai Central property—formerly known as Cotai 5 & 6—due to open in Macau in mid-April. Abbiati says it was advised on the deal by sales and marketing consultant Christophe Leparoux, an 18- year veteran of the industry. Mr Leparoux, formerly Area Sales Manager and Director International Sales & Marketing for Gaming Partners International, now runs his own consultancy, Golden Cathay Consulting. “Christophe and I have been rivals but with the mutual respect associated with true professionals, Christophe has been consulting for us for a short period of time,” said Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of Abbiati Casino Equipment in a statement. “With his knowledge of the Asian market and the customer base he has been successful in advising us on the finalisation of a number of orders, most notably with The Venetian Macao parcels 5 & 6 for an order of 200,000 chips; while another Asian customer has incremented his plaques and jetons banks considerably. “Golden Cathay Consulting will continue to drive our expansion in Asia. We are talking to many operators and more orders are imminent. We are very confident that Christophe’s professionalism and knowledge of the area will provide Abbiati with the opportunity to become a major supplier of gaming chips and plaques in Asia,” stated Mr Abbiati. “Abbiati is renowned the world over for its superb lines of high- quality gaming furniture and its ranges of gaming chips, jetons and plaques. The company deserves this better exposure—particularly on the Asian gaming scene,” added Mr Leparoux. Abbiati Casino Equipment supplies tables, wheels and accessories as well as casino currency to land-based casinos and cruise lines in Asia. Luis Mesquita de Melo Christophe Leparoux