Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAR 2021年3月 亞博匯 45 專欄 Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng told media last year that online gaming regulation was “being studied.” 澳門特區行政長官賀一誠去年曾媒體表示與網絡博彩相關的法律規範目前正在研究之中。 market to grow and mature, giving the government time to demonstrate its ability to implement the appropriate checks and balances necessary to assure the Chinese government of its compliance with national anti-corruption policies and the fight against channeling of funds via illegal means. At the same time, it could potentially convince Mainland authorities that “allowing” funds from nationals’ online play to flow to a controllable, regulated environment rather like Macau would be preferable to its being pocketed by operators across Asia (as happens today). Is it worth it? Would an online operation without Mainland players be worth it? I don ’ t believe that ’ s the right question to ask (or at least the right way to put it). Instead, what should be acknowledged is that there is no other way around it. And on the numbers alone Asia has huge potential with a population of around 4.7 billion – much more than Europe where online gaming is already hugely successful. Irrespective of limitations (nations not allowing their nationals to play on offshore gaming platforms)there is no doubt that opportunities for online gaming growth in Asia are substantial. Just by way of example, and if my math is right, if online gaming revenue reached just 9% of Macau’s 2019 GGR, it would cover the salaries of all of Macau ’ s public servants (based on the Macau 2020 budget). PHILIPPINES MODEL This discussion would not be complete without a word on the possibility of play by locals. I see no reason why they shouldn ’ t be allowed. Locals, with some exceptions, can play in Macau’s brick-and-mortar casinos 24/7. Locals, without