Macau’s Casinos Need Segregated Gaming Areas to Boost Foreign Traffic, Expert Suggests

Posted on: September 22, 2022, 07:28h. 

Last updated on: September 23, 2022, 02:34h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

Macau’s casino market is undergoing what is arguably its most significant transformation in 20 years. The Chinese SAR wants to attract more foreign visitors, and a Macau gaming expert believes the best way is to give them their own gambling spaces.

Macau has plans to become an international destination, requiring casino operators to invest in community projects that will diversify the region. Gambling, however, continues to be a big component of its attractiveness.

Davis Fong Ka Chio, director of the University of Macau’s Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, has a plan to boost the gaming market. Fong told Radio Macau on Wednesday that offering exclusive gaming zones inside casinos could go a long way to help the gaming market thrive.

I think Macau’s existing gaming facilities can attract foreign visitors, but the gaming elements can be improved in the future. Different ways of playing can be added to the gaming facilities, or a dedicated gaming area for foreign visitors to give them a sense of privilege,” said Fong.

Joining Fong in the conversation was Song Wai Kit, president of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association. He believes there’s another way to boost international traffic, and it should already be in place.

Appealing to a Global Audience

There are a few initial steps that Macau show implement, according to Fong. First and foremost, to attract foreign gamblers, casino employees must speak foreign languages. Of course, this is true of any tourist destination. But Macau, according to Song, may be missing the mark. He emphasized that workforces should strengthen their “multilingual skills,” while the casinos should offer “services that cater to visitors of different nationalities.”

Although opulence abounds in Macau, there is an overwhelmingly common theme on the gaming floors. This might turn off some would-be foreign travelers. That isn’t to say that Macau needs anything like Vegas Vic, but diversity is the key to Macau’s future.

Genting Move Still Shocks

There are six gaming concessions in Macau, with six well-entrenched operators tightly holding on to their licenses. Each has submitted applications to receive new concessions at the end of this year, with none expecting to exit.

Genting Malaysia is trying to tip the scales and push out one of the concessionaires. Most analysts believe it won’t be able to do so but think it could ultimately become a partner of an incumbent.

Genting has been the underdog on several occasions –Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and Yokohama, Japan, are two good examples. Therefore, the Maybank analyst warns operators to “underestimate [Genting] at your own peril.”