A slap in the Face

Last week, the Legislative Council passed a bill that bans all offshore gambling. The bill is to be implemented on May 31, which is the starting day of the World Cup Finals. Stanley Ho, a Macau gambling mogul who runs the gambling operator at Sociedade de Jogos de Macau and the Macau Jockey Club, spoke out against the SAR government after learning about the new bill, saying, "a big organization {SAR} is now bullying a small one." However, any bets made with unauthorized gambling operators offshore or within the territory, either by internet or other devices will be subject to criminal charges and will have to pay the consequences of a large fine, under the Gambling ordinance.


This new bill is worrying many companies and organizations, putting them at stake of loosing a lot of business. Ho said that overseas betting from Hong Kong holds around 60% of SJDM's total telephone bets. Apparently, this bill will have an affect on Macau's gambling interests that rely solely on telephone bets from Hong Kong, as well as credit card centers, banks, and radio and television stations that advertise tips or odds. Also, this new bill will affect print media that promotes unauthorized gambling, overseas gambling operators, and owners of entertainment facilities.

A spokesman for the Macau Jockey Club said, "it will seriously threaten our survival. It'll also adversely affect the Macau economy," anticipating a 30% drop in business.