Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAR 2021年3月 亞博匯 48 for the huge commitment all concessionaires have shown so far to Macau. An interesting phenomenon is happening in the US, where convergence between brick-and-mortar casino operations and online gaming is happening. Although the current Macau legal framework does not allow for this to happen – gaming concessionaires cannot operate online gaming – a simple change to the law could reverse such limitations. On the other hand, it could be beneficial to Macau to seek out fresh blood. Macau and GBA entrepreneurs, probably in joint venture partnerships with the major online players globally, could give an extra kick and bring a new approach to the market, adapting it to the Asian consumer. Provided the new market entrants are suitable operators with relevant track records of operation in strictly regulated environments, I see no reason to exclude this possibility. CONCESSION VS LICENSE Enshrined in the law is the concession regime. The commercial operation of online gaming can only be pursued by privately owned entities that have been granted a concession to that effect, through entering into a concession contract with the Macau Government. It is time to consider whether the historical concession regime still makes sense (based on a public tender, then a direct negotiation with the government) or if it would be better to shift the focus to a licensing regime. COLUMNISTS 另一方面，新鮮血液的注入對澳門亦有裨益。澳門和大灣 區內的企業家們或許可以透過合資的方式同全球的線上玩家 合作，從而為市場帶來額外的刺激以及一種新的方式，令其適 應亞洲的客戶。若新的市場進入者是適格的經營者，並且在嚴 格監管的環境之下具有相關的營運經驗，就沒有理由排除此種 可能性。 專營及牌照 專營特許制度是由法律規定的。網絡博彩的商業營運只能由 獲得特許專營權的私企通過與澳門政府簽署的專營特許合同來 進行。現在是時候考慮以前的、基於公開招標然後與政府直接談 判的專營特許制度是否仍有存在的意義了，或者將焦點轉到關注 牌照制度本身會更好。 營運商必須獲得正式的牌照方能營運在線平台。這意味著我 們可以跳過公開招標程序（因而新入場者將不會依賴於澳門當局 的招標），並向那些可證明他們滿足條件的營運商發放牌照（並不 容易獲得）。 這些要求與享有博彩專營權的被特許人的要求相去不遠，包 括客觀的「個人」、專業及技術的要求等皆是在發放牌照時所需要