MACAU GAMING LAW
Macau’s gaming law: when national security trumps the house SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION FALL INTO LINE WITH MAINLAND CHINA AS BRUNO BEATO ASCENÇÃO ELABORATES
Introduction On June 21, 2022, all 33 members of the Legislative Assembly in the Macau Special Administrative Region (“MSAR” or “Macau”) came together and unanimously decided to amend a crucial piece of legislation: the legal framework for casino games of chance. 1 In 2001, Law 16/2001 2 laid the groundwork for Macau to transform into a major player in the gaming industry and the most lucrative casino market in the world. The Macau Gaming Law (MGL) was enacted shortly after Macau’s return to China , allowing its gaming sector to shift from a 40-year- old monopoly to a more competitive and liberalized market. As the 20-year gaming concessions 3 from the 2001 international public tender were nearing expiration, the MSAR Government
initiated a public consultation and began the legislative process to amend the industry’s legal framework. After two decades, it was an opportune moment to assess the changes in the gaming landscape and introduce new regulations for any future concessionaires wanting to enter or remain in this market. In navigating the complexities of governance, the Macau Government and its lawmakers took on a solemn duty: to draft and ideally gain clear approval for legislation that holds significant implications for national security. This critical endeavour was not just a routine bureaucratic task; it reflected their commitment to the values that connect Macau with the Mainland and the Central Government, ensuring that this dynamic region continues to play a loyal role in the overarching story of national unity and security.
1 See Law no. 7/2022 – Amendment to Law no. 16/2001, of 24 September 2001 2 https://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/2022/29/despce.asp#121
3 To understand the differences between gaming licenses in the US and gaming concessions in Macau, see Anthony Cabot, António Lobo Vilela, & Pedro Cortés, Comparing Gaming Regulatory Systems in Civil and Common Law Countries: How Different Approaches Can Achieve the Same Policy Goals , UNLV Gaming Law Journal, Volume 13:2 (2023).
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IMGL MAGAZINE | MARCH 2025
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