Macau Government Seeking Older Age Limit For Casino Gambling

The Macau government is excited about the casino gambling industry, but they are also concerned that it is growing too fast. On Monday, officials from the government outlined their plan for increased regulations to the six casino operators in the city.

Macau has become the casino gambling capital of the world, and the casino operators and government alike both feel that the growth of the industry needs to slow down. Unlimited expansion is going to hurt the overall product, says the casino operators.

One of the major changes that the government seems intent on making, with or without the support of the casino operators, is new age restrictions. The government wants to change the age limit for casinos from eighteen to twenty-one.

"Our main policy is that economic growth has to be diversified, and anytime there is conflict, then the gambling industry has to be regulated," said Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance in Macau, "This is the government's strong belief."

The Macau casino gambling industry is once again thriving after a period of declining revenue. The Chinese government imposed visa restrictions on residents traveling from the mainland, and that cut into the profits of Macau casinos.

In recent months, however, the restrictions have been eased and the Macau casino market is once again booming. US-based casino companies have moved into the market and brought with them a Las Vegas-type atmosphere.

October 12, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!