Macau Puts the Brakes on New Casino Licenses
Edmund Ho, chief executive officer of Macau, has announced a freeze on gambling expansion in the Chinese special administrative region, including halting the issuance of casino licenses and land allocations for casino developments.
Mr. Ho told local legislators in late April that the number of gaming licenses in Macau would be capped at six for the "foreseeable future."
According to Macau Daily Times, the move received the stamp of approval by Stanley Ho, director of the Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, or SJM, who is in favor of doing away with too much competition.
"I think it is excellent news for Macau in general," Mr. Ho, of SJM, said at the Macau Jockey Club on April 20.
"It is high time to take care of the gaming sections problems. It is no good with all the six operators always fighting together using cut throat measures of getting customers into their casino, this is not correct because there is enough room for all six of us.
"There is no need to do this monkey business, cutting throats; it's the worst thing possible," he said.
Taiwan President Promises Push for Offshore Land-based Casino
While Macau is rolling back the number of casino licenses issued, Taiwan's President-elect Ma Ying-jeou is pushing for the legalization of offshore land-based casinos.
According to the Taiwan branch of China Post, the president-elect said earlier this month that when he is sworn into office on May 20, he push forward legislation to allow the legal operation of casinos on the offshore Penghu Island.
"After the statute is enacted, it will be up to the Penghu County council to determine whether to develop the casino industry in the island," he said.
France to Open Market
Eric Woerth, France's budget minister, announced in early April that the country will open up its gambling market in the next two years.
Mr. Woerth said that President Nicholas Sarkozy has made his decision to allow a "controlled opening" of the market by 2009 or early 2010.
France currently holds two monopolies: one on horse race betting, Pari Mutuel Urbain, and the other on sports betting, Française des Jeux. Those monopolies have been under pressure from the European Commission, which had issued a final warning before imposing fines.
Mr. Woerth told French daily Le Parisien that if the time comes when private operators are allowed to organize bets, they would be subject to the same conditions and tax regime as the PMU.
Jamaica Explores First Legal Casino
The Jamaican government has approved a group of international investors to establish the island nation's first legal, private-sector casino.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding is expected to provide details of the plan at an April 29 budget debate, according to Jamaica Gleaner.
The casino is going to be established at a new multibillion-dollar resort hotel in Montego Bay and will employ thousands of Jamaican residents.