Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAR 2020年3月 亞博匯 62 COLUMNISTS do their part in punishing illegal behaviors. However, an absolute prohibition must not be (as it is often not) the only solution. Provided stringent regulation is put forward (addressing KYC and AML concerns, protecting those involved, establishing limits for operating and engaging in online gaming), and that selected geo-blocking restrictions (including to mainland customers) are enforced, Macau does not need to also be an addressee of mainland policies. ONLINE GAMING ADVANTAGES The advantages of online gaming to Macau are quite straightforward: first and foremost, it could generate an additional tax revenue stream, one that is not dependent on an influx of tourists. That revenue does not need to cannibalize the existing land-based market. In fact, the revenue already exists. It is simply not flowing to Macau and, in many cases, is being pocketed by operators that could not care less about harm minimization and compliance. Secondly, it allows our gaming industry to tap into new player demographics. Specifically aimed at all Millennials and Generation Z, online gaming could be key to securing a new generation of customers: one that may not be interested in sitting at a rowdy baccarat table. It opens countless opportunities to experiment with new games and technologies. Lastly, online gaming may help create hundreds (if not thousands) of high skilled jobs in the sector. The type of jobs may span from gaming developers and engineers to professionals in IT, marketing, financial services, management, auditing, to other ancillary services. Additional high-skill jobs could be created to support the necessary regulatory and technological infrastructure to effectively regulate online gaming. If there is a Labour policy requiring dealers to be Macau residents, why not a similar policy applicable to the software engineers that get these operations up and running? In a regulated environment, all the above could be achieved, with full consideration for the drawbacks The Philippines is reaping the benefits of regulating online gaming under the POGO regime implemented by PAGCOR chair Andrea Domingo in 2016. PAGCOR主席Andrea Domingo自2016年推動POGO制度以來，菲律賓從對網絡遊戲的監管中獲益。