Casino Boss Calls For License Bidding Delay

One of the largest casino operators in Macau has said that the Macau government should extend the current concessions within the country to help operators recover from the COVID-19 pandemic before any new bidding starts.

Ambrose So Shu Fai, the chief executive of SJM Holdings said the government should at least extend the process by one year and only begin the tender process for gaming rights to operate in Macau when the global and gaming economy recovers.

Speaking to the Hong Kong Economic Journal publication said it is only fair that the current concession holders are able to bid fairly against any outside international bidder and that can only happen when all six of the current holders have sufficiently recovered from the global pandemic.

Tenders to hold a gaming license is due to come up in 2022 and those normally last for 20-years, however there are laws within the framework to extend the license of those concessions if needed.