Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING OCTOBER 2018 28 COLUMNISTS decision) and the right of an individual to choose whether or not to participate in gambling activities (which may be achieved by promoting consumer and community awareness and education). Given the fast-paced growth of the gaming industry and its increasing international visibility, Macau stakeholders – Government; Gaming Operators; Gamblers and respective families; Education and Other Community Organizations; and Gambling Disorder Prevention and Treatment Centers – had no choice but to step on the reform pedal and start pushing forward for an RG framework. That indeed happened. Several laws and measures related with RG were introduced for the first time to the gaming industry: in November 2012, Law no. 10/2012 established the legal framework of the conditions for entering, working in and gaming at casinos, by (i) raising the minimum age to enter the casinos to 21; (ii) providing for a self-exclusion and a third- party exclusion program; (iii) addressing the treatment of winnings of people not allowed in casinos. Guidelines for internal implementation of RG by the operators were issued by Macau’s gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). Several public entities have held a series of “Responsible Gambling Awareness” activities and initiatives. Interdepartmental taskforces were put in place. A “Central Registry System of Problem Gamblers” has been set up. Most of the measures put in place were a necessity. However, the same cannot be said about the amendments in the pipeline to Law no. 10/2012, the first reading of which was recently approved, and to Law no. 5/2011 (Smoking Law). Amongst the proposed amendments to Law 10/2012, one in particular raised the eyebrows of many in the industry. We refer to the proposal for a full ban on casino entry (with very limited exceptions) for gaming concessionaires’ workers. Based on the first reading of the law (which we note is still under discussion in the LegislativeAssemblyandmayundergofurther amendments), gaming concessionaires’ Amongst the proposed amendments to Law 10/2012, one in particular raised the eyebrows of many in the industry. We refer to the proposal for a full ban on casino entry (with very limited exceptions) for gaming concessionaires’ workers …we see no reason for this amendment.