Thursday, December 10, 2020

Jogo-crime-Covid (uma boa história)

jan23

Oito estabelecimentos de comércio, situados na zona das Portas do Cerco, terão importado e vendido ilegalmente “Primovir”, medicamento oral genérico contra a covid-19 produzido na Índia, revelou ontem o Instituto para a Supervisão e Administração Farmacêutica de Macau (ISAF). Sublinhando que este tipo de medicamentos foi importado para a RAEM sem a devida autorização, o organismo indicou que vai encaminhar os casos suspeitos para os Serviços de Alfândega, em conformidade com a Lei do Comércio Externo. As situações foram detectadas pelo ISAF durante acções de inspecção a farmácias e lojas nas Portas do Cerco. Apelando aos cidadãos para não comprarem nem consumirem fármacos de fontes desconhecidas, o ISAF frisou que, até ao momento, a RAEM apenas autorização a importação de dois tipos de medicamentos ocidentais orais contra covid-19: “Paxlovid Tablet”, produzido pela Pfizer, e “Lagevrio Capsule” da farmacêutica Merck Sharp & Dohme. O organismo reiterou que esses dois tipos de medicamentos só estão disponíveis mediante receita médica pelos Serviços de Saúde, tendo contra-indicações e precauções no consumo. Segundo a imprensa de Hong Kong, algumas farmácias da região vizinha recorreram a pessoas para trazer “Primovir” para Macau e, mais tarde Zhuhai, para ser vendido no Interior da China. Nalguns casos, farmácias terão vendido duas caixas de “Primovir” por 6.000 dólares de Hong Kong.

https://jtm.com.mo/local/oito-lojas-vendiam-farmaco-anti-covid-sem-autorizacao/


mar22

Houve um aumento astronómico, de mais de 408%, no número de “falsos turistas” interceptados pela Alfândega: no ano transacto foram 3.311 contra 651 em 2020. Os dados revelados pelo organismo à TRIBUNA DE MACAU mostram ainda que a maior parte são não residentes. Segundo as autoridades, nos últimos dois anos houve uma alteração, sendo que as mercadorias do comércio paralelo que originalmente entravam no Interior da China por Hong Kong passaram a entrar via Macau. Além disso, com a diminuição do emprego e dos rendimentos, “aumenta a vontade de participação” neste tipo de actividades. O problema é, segundo as autoridades, cada vez mais grave e mais oculto

https://jtm.com.mo/local/comercio-paralelo-da-raehk-transferido-para-macau/



mar22

A decisão do Corpo de Polícia de Segurança Pública (CPSP) foi conhecida ontem pela voz do secretário para a Segurança Wong Sio Chak. Isto, depois de a detecção do novo caso positivo na segunda-feira ter levado à testagem de cerca de oito mil pessoas que moram e trabalham na zona das Portas do Cerco e à suspensão das aulas em 46 escolas. Em causa, está o facto de a mulher ter aproveitado o visto de entrada em Macau para visitar família, para contrabandear produtos provenientes do Interior da China no território.

“A pessoa em questão, está qualificada para entrar em Macau para visitar a sua família (…) o que permite ir e vir a Macau várias vezes. Essas pessoas devem permanecer em Macau e não sair logo. O CPSP vai interditá-la de entrar em Macau durante um ano. Para situações semelhantes iremos tomar a mesma medida”, apontou ontem Wong Sio Chak à margem de uma reunião da 1ª Comissão Permanente da Assembleia Legislativa. https://plataformamedia.com/2022/03/02/mulher-que-acusou-positivo-impedida-de-entrar-em-macau-durante-um-ano/


out21

Um indivíduo com 37 anos de idade foi detido pela Polícia Judiciária (PJ) por suspeitas de difamar Alvis Lo, director dos Serviços de Saúde (SSM), Lou Pak Sang, director dos Serviços de Educação e de Desenvolvimento da Juventude (DSEDJ) e os respectivos organismos. O suspeito é ainda acusado pela polícia de publicidade e calúnia, bem como ofensa à pessoa colectiva que exerça autoridade pública.

Segundo a PJ, os dois organismos apresentaram queixa no sábado sobre uma publicação nas redes sociais, que indicava que familiares da esposa de Alvis Lo viviam no 28º andar do edifício “The Bayview”. A mesma publicação referia que Lou Pak Sang habitava no 7º andar do prédio, que não foi classificado como zona vermelha ou amarela apesar de ser o local onde trabalhava o 77º caso confirmado de COVID-19. https://jtm.com.mo/local/detido-por-difamar-directores-da-saude-educacao/


 Jul21

The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced it busted a group of Macau and mainland residents who used illegal means to obtain personal information from non-resident workers who regularly travelled to and from Guangdong and Macau, and used the data to forge health codes from both jurisdictions. A 49-year-old Macau resident that was arrested is believed to have been responsible for identifying people who had expired negative nucleic acid tests and selling them fake health codes that could help them cross the border. After an outbreak of locally transmitted cases in Guangdong from May 21 local authorities restricted access to the city for people coming from the province to anyone holding a negative nucleic acid test valid for the 48 before entry, with that policy eased back to 7 days last week. https://www.macaubusiness.com/police-busts-group-selling-fake-macau-and-guangdong-health-codes/ 


Dez20

Um cidadão chinês do continente inventou uma história de uma quarentena fictícia para tentar justificar a estadia ilegal no território à polícia. De acordo com as autoridades, o indivíduo procurava recuperar 200 mil dólares de Hong Kong que tinha perdido a jogar nos casinos.

https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/homem-do-continente-inventa-quarentena-para-justificar-estadia-ilegal/



Saturday, October 31, 2020

(SOCIAL EFFECTS) Ambiente

 dez21

Mesmo com menos turistas e as fronteiras condicionadas Macau continuou a gastar muita energia e a produzir muitos resíduos alimentares e domésticos. Os dados foram avançados na sexta-feira pelo Governo. “Com a queda do número de turistas, a produção de resíduos diminuiu, mas não foi significativa”, disse Raymond Tam, director dos Serviços de Protecção Ambiental (DSPA). O secretário para os Transportes e Obras Públicas, Raimundo do Rosário, adiantou mesmo que entre Janeiro e Outubro a taxa de utilização da electricidade baixou apenas dois por cento em relação ao mesmo período de 2019.

“Com menos turistas reduzimos apenas em dois por cento. Que significado tem este número? Que as tarifas são baratas e as pessoas não tomam muita atenção a isto. Macau é uma cidade rica, as pessoas não ligam ao uso de água e electricidade, todos têm dinheiro para pagar estes bens. Não temos pressão de preços.”

Além disso, Raimundo do Rosário frisou que, nos últimos anos, “[os níveis] de emissão de carbono no interior da China têm diminuído, mas nós estamos a aumentar as emissões”. “Quando se abre um novo casino aumentam as emissões de carbono e reduzi-las não é assim tão fácil”, acrescentou.

https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/12/06/producao-de-residuos-e-gastos-de-energia-elevados-durante-a-pandemia/



The COVID-19 pandemic has affected air quality due to extreme changes in human behavior.

15 We assessed the air quality response to different emergency levels during different COVID-19

16 periods and the naught period in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

17 We obtained the following conclusions: (1) The measures implemented to prevent and control of

18 COVID-19 directly impacted ambient air pollutants. The air quality index and the concentrations

19 of NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and CO in the GBA for 1–19 January 2020 declined 19.4%, 16.7%, 27.5%,

20 15.8%, and 25.7%, respectively, compared to the same time period in 2016–2019. (2) The

21 reduction in air pollution was strongly associated with the first-level emergency response during

22 this pandemic. The AQI, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, O3, and CO in the GBA decreased by 37.4%, 47.0%,

23 40.5%, 44.8%, 6.7%, and 24.1%, respectively. We found no statistically significant difference in

24 the concentrations of different pollutants, except for NO2, during the second- and third-level

25 responses. (3) The higher the emergency response level, the greater the NO2 pollutants reduction.

26 The NO2 concentration was reduced by 47.0%, 25.5%, and 12.1% at emergency response levels 1,

27 2, and 3, respectively. The results highlight the importance of understanding the role of

28 emergency response in air quality, and provide reference for authorities to formulate more

29 scientific and reasonable emergency responses to epidemic prevention and control.

Effects of COVID-19 Emergency Response Levels on Air Quality in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China



Em comparação com o ano passado, o número de dias com ar insalubre caiu 73 por cento. A culpa é da pandemia, dizem os Serviços Meteorológicos e Geofísico. No ar, fica também a promessa de reforçar critérios de concentração de poluentes de acordo com o Instituto Nacional Hidrográfico e Ambiental chinês. Pelos vistos, nem tudo piora com a pandemia. De acordo com os Serviços Meteorológicos e Geofísicos (SMG), nos primeiros 10 meses de 2020, o número de dias com qualidade do ar insalubre caiu 73 por cento, em comparação com o ano passado. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2020/11/05/dias-com-qualidade-de-ar-insalubre-em-macau-caem-73-este-ano/ 

Friday, October 30, 2020

(SOCIAL) Educational Challenges

 All classes have been suspended since 24 Jan 2020 and the on-line

classes replaced for students’ learnings at home since 3 February

2020. As this outbreak of COVID-19 is not foreseen and predictable,

there have been issues emerged regarding the preparedness and

applications of on-line study including hardware and software

situations among schools, faculties, and students with their parents

in Macao.

Most teachers have experienced some challenges in online teaching

including training for the use of on-line teaching especially in

“how to use the on-line teaching software”, technical supports for

on-line teaching (software installation and use), broadband speed

and stability for internet, students’ attendance status (how to check

student who is “real” at on-line class), the effective evaluation of

on-line learning among students, and time issue for the preparation

of on-line learning.

There are some feedbacks from students including software installation

and application problem, too tight on-line class schedule,

too many assignments, internet connection issues, and assessment

problems. The parents also experienced the communication issues

with teachers and schools.

Educational challenges of COVID-19 may include the preparation

for on-line teaching (training and material preparation), technical

support (hardware and software), application (attendance and

assignment), and the effectiveness and achievement of the on-line

classes.

Moreover, 217 countries/territories/areas have confirmed cases

of COVID-19 which represented all people under the threats of the

public-health crisis on COVID-19. Some countries/territories/areas don’t have clear guideline and strategies for the prevention of the

pandemic of COVID-19, it would be dangerous to people’s life and

wellbeing of all societies.

COVID-19 has changed all people’s daily life especially in teaching

and learning. All students are encouraged for the continue

learning during the pandemic of disease. The “Learning from home”

policy in Macao provides students for the chance of non-stop learning

during the class suspension or lockdown at home. There are

some challenges of on-line class emerged from educators, students,

and parents including training, technical support, application, and

effective evaluations. Those suggestions provided directions for the

improvement of on-line classes if “Learning from home” continued.

COVID-19 has caused many people deaths and life changes,

educators should try to prepare teaching materials not only for the

face-to-face classes but also for the on-line classes use. Educators

also need to think how to promote students’ learning experiences

from the on-line classes for students’ better learning achievement.

Jul20

The Responses and Challenges of COVID-19 in Macao

HSU, Mei Hua Kerry∗

Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Contexto (editorial?)

 "In February 2020, Macau was one of the first regions where the pandemic of coronavirus or Covid-19

affected the totality of social and economic life leading to increased anxieties over movement and

distance. Although Macau has had very few actual cases of the virus – 41 in total – and no deaths

from it, the Macau government rapidly instituted a lockdown. Anxiety in this respect is demonstrated

in the vignette on public bus above and the general obedience of people that could be observed not

to assemble, to stay at home, and avoiding meetings or gatherings in public places, including

transport, shops, and restaurants" Anxious immobilities: an ethnography of coping with contagion

(Covid-19) in Macau




The most important

thing is that Macao government stays vigilant for the quick

responses to face the public health crisis or disaster to this pandemic

infectious disease of COVID-19. The useful strategies to deal

with this crisis including centralized visitors from Hubei province,

enough quantities of facial masks for residents and workers, and

suspension of all activities as anti-epidemic period for residents

staying at home over one month since the outbreak of COVID-19

on 21 Jan 2020. The Responses and Challenges of COVID-19 in Macao

HSU, Mei Hua Kerry∗

Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Novo modelo económico

nov22
O sector do jogo representou 25,8% do valor do PIB de Macau em 2021 e o seu peso foi o que mais aumentou entre os diversos ramos económicos, segundo dados oficiais. Já o sector financeiro passou a ocupar o segundo lugar, ultrapassando o imobiliário, algo que a AMCM associa aos esforços de diversificação económica
https://jtm.com.mo/local/jogo-reforcou-peso-economico-em-2021/

jul222

while Macau and Hong Kong should prepare for re-industrialization as the number of tourists plummets, the Blue Book of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area indicated. (...) The Blue Book pointed out that due to transferring light industry to the mainland and  missing opportunities to develop the information technology industry, some economic problems ofMacau and Hong Kong that were once hidden have begun to appear now,  including the shrinking of the manufacturing industry and single industry structure.
https://www.macaubusiness.com/pandemic-inflation-to-impact-gba-economy-in-h2-macau-should-start-re-industrialization-study/


jan22
Na mensagem para este ano, o presidente do grupo financeiro Delta Ásia previu uma “onda” de desemprego devido à falência de salas VIP, estando ainda preocupado com o sector do jogo devido à digitalização do renminbi. Convicto de que a diversificação industrial será “dolorosa”, apontou que a “chave” poderá passar pela criação de uma empresa de investimento público que partilhe projectos com grupos privados com vista ao desenvolvimento de sectores emergentes. O também presidente da Associação de Pequenas e Médias Empresas de Macau sugeriu ainda a disponibilização de terrenos baratos e até gratuitos em Hengqin a empresas com metas focadas nas novas indústrias
https://jtm.com.mo/local/stanley-au-olha-pessimismo-para-economia-de-macau/

dez21
O trabalho do Executivo de Macau “é altamente reconhecido pelo Governo Central”, garantiu Xi Jinping ao receber Ho Iat Seng, destacando a estabilidade do território, o controlo eficaz da situação pandémica e a recuperação gradual da economia, entre outros pontos da acção governativa. Por outro lado, o Presidente chinês advertiu que a pandemia comprovou a necessidade de repensar a estrutura económica de Macau. Nesse sentido, tanto Xi como o Primeiro-Ministro Li Keqiang expressaram total apoio à “diversificação adequada” da economia local. https://jtm.com.mo/local/xi-quer-reflexao-mais-profunda-sobre-rumo-economico-da-raem/


dez21

"A pandemia (...) obrigou as pessoas a refletirem. Assim, todos os setores da sociedade de Macau têm agora um conhecimento mais claro sobre os problemas existentes na estrutura económica e terão de fazer uma reflexão mais profunda sobre a direção do desenvolvimento da região", afirmou Xi Jinping, no audiência concedida ao chefe do executivo do território, Ho Iat Seng. Xi considerou que Macau manteve, neste ano, um desenvolvimento estável e preveniu e controlou a situação pandémica, ao concretizar a 'meta dinâmica de infeção zero' para garantir a normalização da passagem fronteiriça com o interior da China, de acordo com um comunicado distribuído pelo Gabinete de Comunicação Social do território.

https://www.sapo.pt/noticias/atualidade/presidente-chines-diz-que-covid-19-vai-levar-_61c354ff78baaf2e03a9f470



nov21

O Governo encomendou um estudo à consultora Deloitte sobre o presente e o futuro do turismo de Macau, identificando potenciais riscos e caminhos de saída. A concorrência da ilha da Hainão e da zona da Ásia/Pacífico pode “roubar” visitantes a Macau. A solução é aproveitar os recursos marítimos e culturais e apostar no segmento do luxo. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/11/15/dst-deloitte-alerta-para-concorrencia-de-hainao-e-sugere-aposta-no-mar/


30/9

Apelando à população que assuma responsabilidades, o Chefe do Executivo afirmou que só quando a vacinação chegar aos 80 por cento serão iniciadas negociações com o Governo Central. No entanto, mesmo com taxa de 100 por cento, não é certo que Macau abra ao exterior. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/09/30/ho-iat-seng-elevada-taxa-de-vacinacao-nao-garante-abertura-de-fronteiras/

30/9
Com a taxa de vacinação a atingir apenas 51% no território, sendo mesmo “a mais baixa na China”, o Chefe do Executivo advertiu ser difícil ter argumentos para negociar com o Governo Central sobre a retoma das excursões turísticas e da emissão de vistos electrónicos. Ho Iat Seng reiterou, por isso, o apelo à vacinação, esperando chegar aos 80%. Por outro lado, disse que o Governo vai ajustar o orçamento e o Secretário para a Economia e Finanças irá analisar a situação económica em geral e, em particular, das pequenas e médias empresas, mas não se comprometeu com o lançamento de novas medidas de apoio https://jtm.com.mo/local/taxa-de-vacinacao-mais-baixa-da-china-complica-retoma-economica-na-raem/

ma21

É necessário “pragmatismo” no que respeita ao processo de procura de emprego. Foi o que defendeu o Secretário para a Economia e Finanças, frisando que a prioridade é arranjar trabalho para “assegurar a vida”. Lei Wai Nong apontou que, numa altura em que Macau se encontra numa situação de recuperação económica “lenta”, a população deve ser “activa”. O Secretário para a Economia e Finanças defendeu ontem que é necessário “pragmatismo” no que respeita às questões do emprego, numa altura em que o território está “num processo de recuperação lento” após um ano marcado pela pandemia. “Temos de ser pragmáticos, temos de ter uma população activa, suficiente, para a retoma da economia”, apontou Lei Wai Nong, numa sessão de interpelações orais na Assembleia Legislativa (AL).

Mais uma vez, o governante – que respondia a várias questões sobre a matéria lançadas pelo deputado Lam Lon Wai – reiterou que a prioridade é que os residentes encontrem um emprego. “O essencial é encontrar um trabalho para assegurar a vida. É isso que nos preocupa. O mercado nem sempre consegue oferecer o salário que as pessoas desejam (…), mas espero que comecem primeiro um trabalho e depois vão melhorando as condições”, defendeu, apelando à ala laboral para que faça essa sensibilização junto da população. https://jtm.com.mo/local/populacao-deve-ser-activa-durante-retoma-da-economia/



mar21
“Macau tem vivido com alguma ‘tranquilidade’ há mais de um ano devido à COVID-19, por isso, creio que é oportuno pensarmos no futuro. Este sistema de jogo vai continuar? Macau é uma cidade turística com jogo, mas os complexos turísticos que contêm elementos não jogo, por exemplo, gastronomia e eventos de entretenimento, obtiveram melhores resultados em termos do fluxo de pessoas e dos volumes de negócios”, observou Carlos Siu, sustentando que os casinos com elementos não jogo mais atractivos registarão sempre melhores resultados durante a pandemia.
https://jtm.com.mo/local/nao-podemos-ter-pressa-na-revisao-da-lei-jogo/


dez20
(modelo antigo)
Macau reforça investimento público em 2021, aumento de 21% em obras viárias

Em conferência de imprensa, as autoridades detalharam terem recebido, até ao momento, 363 projetos “provenientes dos serviços públicos e das entidades de interesse público”. Destas obras, 55 são de grande dimensão e estão relacionas com as principais artérias da capital mundial do jogo. “Diante do aumento do número das obras para o próximo ano, prevê-se que constituirá uma certa pressão para o trânsito”, disseram os responsáveis daquele que é um dos territórios com maior densidade populacional do mundo. 

https://www.impala.pt/noticias/macau-reforca-investimento-publico-em-2021-aumento-de-21-em-obras-viarias/



dez20 (O VELHO MODELO) 
Durante o Fórum Global de Economia Turística, organizado por Macau, o ministro da Cultura e do Turismo da República Popular da China, Hu Heping, afirmou que o Governo de Macau “respondeu à pandemia em tempo oportuno” e que por isso “conteve eficazmente a sua propagação”. Macau foi dos primeiros territórios a ser atingido pela crise económica devido à pandemia, tendo registado o primeiro de 46 casos em 22 de janeiro. A partir daí, adotou várias medidas sanitárias para controlar a propagação do vírus, como o encerramento dos casinos por 15 dias, um plano de distribuição de máscaras e um forte controlo fronteiriço. As medidas sanitárias mostraram-se eficazes, e desde 26 de junho que não é detetado qualquer caso. Por essa razão, Hu Heping acredita que “a economia de Macau vai recuperar rapidamente com o apoio do Governo Central” e “demonstrar melhor que nunca o seu papel de centro mundial de turismo assim como o seu papel de cooperação entre a China e os países de língua portuguesa”. https://visao.sapo.pt/atualidade/mundo/2020-12-09-covid-19-controlo-da-pandemia-em-macau-vai-trazer-rapida-recuperacao-economica-governo-chines/

nov20
LAG21 - recuperação economica mais do que novo modelo

A par dos trabalhos de prevenção da epidemia, será dado um impulso à economia. Neste capítulo, o primeiro ponto destacado por Ho Iat Seng é a mobilidade: “Iremos, por um lado, acelerar a nossa articulação com o mercado do interior da China, promovendo, designadamente, uma mobilização mais conveniente e eficiente de pessoas, bens e capitais com vista à nossa integração na circulação económica interna, e, por outro lado, potenciar o nosso desempenho enquanto plataforma de serviços recíprocos na circulação económica externa”.  O turismo também será ponto central na recuperação económica. Será revisto o Plano Geral do Turismo, alargada a cadeia da indústria turística e promovido o desenvolvimento do turismo inteligente. “Incentivaremos o sector do turismo local a explorar novos produtos turísticos com características próprias e enfoque na divulgação da imagem de Macau como destino turístico seguro, de forma a acelerar o ritmo da recuperação  do sector”, disse o líder do Governo de Macau. A revitalização económica vai passar também pelo investimento público, nomeadamente nas infraestruturas. Neste âmbito, será afectada uma verba no valor de 18,5 mil milhões de patacas destinada aos investimentos em construções públicas. Serão realizados estudos sobre a construção da Linha Leste do Metro Ligeiro. Há também planos para avançar com a construção da extensão da linha do Metro Ligeiro ao posto fronteiriço de Hengqin e a quarta ligação rodoviária entre Macau e a Taipa. O aeroporto será expandido e serão iniciadas as construções das vias rodoviárias e infraestruturas da Zona A dos Novos Aterros. Por fim, o Executivo quer usar também o sector do jogo para fazer face à crise económica deixada pela pandemia. “Iremos aperfeiçoar o regime jurídico do jogo; iniciaremos a organização e preparação dos trabalhos relativos à nova concessão para a exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar; instaremos o sector do jogo a desenvolver as suas operações em conformidade com a lei e continuaremos a divulgar o jogo responsável e a combater o jogo ilícito”, disse Ho Iat Seng. As LAG preveem que no segundo trimestre de 2021 o Governo entregue a proposta de revisão da lei do jogo. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/11/17/recuperacao-economica-e-prevencao-da-epidemia-na-base-da-linha-politica-do-governo-para-2021/

Ao responder aos deputados em relação às Linhas de Acção Governativa (LAG) para 2021 sobre o combate ao desemprego no território, Ho Iat Seng disse que a recuperação económica, que trará mais emprego, só será possível com uma vacina. “Se todos tomarem a vacina podemos ver a nossa saída, ou seja, vai haver recuperação económica”, frisou o líder do Governo.
https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/recuperacao-da-economia-do-turismo-e-do-emprego-so-com-vacina-diz-ho-iat-seng/


nov20
Sobre a diversificação das indústrias, o Chefe do Executivo frisou que o foco vai estar na “promoção da indústria da medicina tradicional chinesa” e no sector financeiro, onde o Governo “irá fomentar o desenvolvimento do mercado de títulos”. O Chefe do Executivo acrescentou ainda que o território necessita de “atrair indústrias que beneficiem a diversificação do desenvolvimento da economia de Macau”, nomeadamente produtos da medicina tradicional chinesa. Segundo o comunicado, Ho Iat Seng recordou que a Lei da actividade farmacêutica no âmbito da medicina tradicional chinesa e da inscrição de medicamentos tradicionais chineses foi entregue à apreciação da Assembleia Legislativa, e que neste momento é necessário aguardar pela aprovação, “dando-se assim mais um passo na garantia da qualidade, da segurança e no aumento da competitividade da exportação destes produtos” https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/11/09/pme-reuniram-se-com-ho-iat-seng-com-sugestoes-de-diversificacao-economica-para-as-lag-do-proximo-ano/

nov20 (LAG21)

Embora considere que em momentos de crise – como é o caso da pandemia, que, em 2021, “continuará a ser o maior obstáculo ao desenvolvimento de Macau” – se devem procurar oportunidades, o Chefe do Executivo acredita que “o tempo necessário para a revitalização económica será longo”, acarretando “significativas pressões no emprego e na vida da população”. Ontem, na apresentação das Linhas de Acção Governativa para o ano financeiro de 2021, Ho Iat Seng disse que, apesar da economia de Macau estar “em vias de recuperação”, o processo será “moroso” e serão “elevadas as pressões económicas” sentidas pelos diversos sectores sociais. “Com o avançar do tempo, as pressões no emprego e na vida da população aumentarão gradualmente; surgirão problemas e conflitualidades profundas, antes encobertos pelo acelerado crescimento económico, e as necessidades da população, acumuladas ao longo dos anos, tornar-se-ão mais acentuadas”, anteviu. Sublinhando que a previsão para o próximo ano se apresenta “tendencialmente positiva”, esperando-se que “a economia possa recuperar gradualmente o seu crescimento”, Ho Iat Seng reiterou que “o ritmo da recuperação económica manter-se-á lento, fazendo com que a maior parte dos sectores e das pequenas e médias empresas continuem a sentir dificuldades económicas”. Por essa razão, afirmou, “não se pode deixar de afirmar que é grande a pressão para estabilizar a economia, garantir o emprego e assegurar a qualidade de vida da população”. https://jtm.com.mo/local/chefe-anteve-pressao-para-estabilizar-economia-emprego/


out20 BASEADO em apoios!

Alguns deputados apontaram, nas intervenções antes da ordem do dia, para a necessidade de uma terceira ronda de apoios económicos para ajudar a mitigar os efeitos da crise provocada pela COVID-19. Leong Sun Iok afirmou que a população está, há já nove meses, “preocupada com o declínio económico, dificuldades em arranjar emprego, e redução de rendimento dos residentes e das empresas”. O deputado ligado à Federação das Associações dos Operários de Macau (FAOM) recordou que o Chefe do Executivo prometeu que a comparticipação pecuniária vai continuar em 2021, mas defendeu que “face à realidade económica, há que estudar o lançamento da terceira ronda de medidas de apoio, para promover a economia, estabilizar o emprego, e ultrapassar as dificuldades”. Também Ho Ion Sang, Wong Kit Cheng e Zheng Anting defenderam novas rondas de apoio, bem como a manutenção dos cheques pecuniários https://jtm.com.mo/local/deputados-pedem-nova-ronda-de-apoios-a-economia/

ou20
Sem turistas, empresas locais viram-se para os canais online Os seis grandes resorts em Macau estão agora a explorar canais online para venda de serviços. A Sands e a MGM, por exemplo, venderam diárias e refeições para os hotéis que integram os respetivos complexos durante a emissão online, mas os resultados não foram comparáveis aos verificados na China continental. Por outro lado, a Gree, sediada em Zhuhai e que ocupa o 436º lugar entre as 500 maiores empresas mundiais, de acordo com a lista da revista Fortune, é uma pioneira nas vendas em direto online, uma forma de venda que ganhou especial popularidade no continente durante a pandemia. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2020/10/24/vendas-online-a-partir-de-macau-geraram-milhoes-de-rmb/

16/10/20
Mais de 1300 investidores internacionais entraram em contacto com o Instituto de Promoção do Comércio e do Investimento de Macau nos últimos oito meses para expandir os seus negócios no território. Apesar da paralisação do sector turístico nos primeiros meses do ano por causa da pandemia, os investidores mantêm “um alto interesse” em Macau, disse ontem o vogal executivo do IPIM durante um almoço organizado pela Câmara do Comércio França-Macau. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/10/16/macau-continua-atractivo-para-investidores-internacionais-apesar-da-pandemia-diz-vincent-u/


26//7

O fator decisivo é o da “mudança”, remata Angus Cheong. “Não vamos voltar ao passado; Macau tem de mudar… andámos anos a falar da ligação aos países de língua portuguesa, mas era só conversa. Temos de passar a agir. No contexto da integração de Macau na Grande Baía, temos de fazer coisas em concreto, que realmente liguem os países de língua portuguesa à Grande Baía. Temos de abraçar essa oportunidade.”  https://www.plataformamedia.com/2020/07/25/sos-para-um-futuro-melhor/


23/7

De acordo com um comunicado da universidade, Ho Iat Seng lembrou que o Governo “investiu enormes recursos na educação e na investigação científica”, esperando, por isso, que a “universidade de Macau faça novos progressos na transferência dos resultados tecnológicos na diversificação das indústrias de Macau”. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2020/07/23/ho-iat-seng-pede-a-um-resultados-que-ajudem-diversificacao/  

9/7

O surto desta epidemia “revelou mais uma vez os problemas” da estrutura industrial única de Macau, da dependência excessiva do sector do jogo e da falta de resiliência económica, disse ontem o Chefe do Executivo. Ho Iat Seng, que presidiu à reunião do Conselho para o Desenvolvimento Económico, considera que em Macau a situação epidémica está “relativamente controlada”, mas prevê-se que “face ao aumento contínuo dos factores de incerteza externos, Macau continue a enfrentar uma grande pressão (…) na segunda metade do ano”. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2020/07/10/economia-macau-continua-a-enfrentar-pressao-disse-ho-iat-seng Sublinhando que a epidemia teve um grande impacto na economia mundial, o governante apontou, no entanto, que há problemas específicos na Região Administrativa Especial de Macau (RAEM), "como a estrutura industrial única, a dependência excessiva do setor do jogo e a falta de resiliência económica", pode ler-se no comunicado do Governo. https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/economia/1526534/epidemia-revelou-mais-uma-vez-os-problemas-de-macau-diz-ho-iat-seng

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Futuro dos casinos (recuperação)

jul22

Macau irá manter o estatuto de maior mercado do jogo em casino do mundo, anteviu Bill Hornbuckle, presidente e CEO da MGM Resorts International, accionista maioritária da MGM China, durante uma mesa redonda no canal televisivo da CNBC. Antes da pandemia, Macau tinha “sete, oito vezes a escala de Las Vegas”, afirmou o responsável da MGM Resorts, segundo um extracto da discussão citado pelo portal GGRAsia, acrescentando que se “voltar para metade, para começar e mais algum depois… é o maior mercado do jogo do mundo” e “será para sempre”. Além de Hornbuckle, que também é presidente da MGM China, a mesa redonda contou ainda com a participação de Robert Goldstein e Craig Billings, CEO da Las Vegas Sands e Wynn Resorts, respectivamente, e será transmitida esta quarta-feira. No extracto da discussão, Billings afirmou por sua vez que “a única coisa” que o “mantém acordado à noite sobre Macau” é a situação dos funcionários da Wynn Macau. “Essencialmente, eles estão lá retidos há anos. É muito, muito difícil, e eu aprecio tudo o que eles fazem por nós”, frisou. Já Goldstein previu que a recuperação do jogo em Macau poderá ganhar ímpeto este ano ou em 2023. Apesar de admitir que se trata de uma fase complicada, o líder da Sands reiterou que a empresa acredita que terá um “futuro brilhante” na RAEM.

https://jtm.com.mo/local/ceo-da-mgm-resorts-acredita-macau-mantera-lideranca-mundial-jogo/


jul22

2024!

Macau’s mass market sector will reach just 30% of 2019 levels this year and only fully recover in 2024, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

In a Thursday note, Moody’s analysts noted that Macau’s mass segment – expected to comprise its core business in future given the demise of VIP – remains heavily reliant on tourist numbers which remain suppressed due to COVID-19 prevention measures.

As such, mass GGR will only reach 30% of 2019 levels this year, down on the 37% achieved in 2021 and “reflecting the very weak year-to-date performance and following the recent jump in COVID-19 cases and week-long closure of nonessential business venues including casinos.”

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2022/07/15/macau-mass-market-recovery-only-in-2024-moodys/


jul22

The risk of actual credit default by Macau casino operators is slighter than the respective risk of rating downgrade, said S&P Global Ratings, in a live Thursday online briefing, via Hong Kong.

Macau’s casinos are currently experiencing a period of zero day-to-day gaming revenue amid a week-long shutdown due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the city.

Aras Poon, an associate director of S&P Global, fielded a question during the briefing, about the risk of credit downgrades and even defaults among Macau names.

https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-op-default-risk-less-than-downgrade-risk-sp/


jun22

Macau’s tourism industry must foster change and improvement, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, said at a parliamentary plenary.

During the long discussion, where even the parliament’s president made his voice heard in seeking a conclusion on the topic, Lei for once again threw out punchlines, as he said, “A past map may not point out future destinations.”

At the same occasion, several lawmakers asked questions related to tourism. For example, lawmakers Wong Kit Cheng and Angela Leong asked about reviving the industry, while Pereira Coutinho asked about Japan’s risk classification on Macau.

https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/lei-wai-nong-citys-tourism-industry-needs-repositioning.html


JAN22

Apesar dos esforços do Governo para diversificar a economia, os efeitos positivos não vão ser sentidos a curto prazo, por isso, o jogo vai continuar a ser o principal motor da economia este ano. O alerta foi deixado por Kwan Fung, académico da Universidade de Macau formado em Economia, em declarações ao jornal do Cidadão.
Em 2021, as receitas do jogo cresceram 43 por cento, face a 2020, para os 86,86 mil milhões de patacas, mas Kwan Fung indicou que o valor não deixa de ser reduzido face às expectativas. Segundo o académico, o crescimento relativo de 43 por cento não pode ser encarado como muito positivo, porque o montante de 2020 tinha sido muito baixo, e que qualquer subida iria sempre apresentar uma percentagem aparentemente grande.
No mesmo sentido, o académico recordou as estimativas mais conservadoras dos departamentos de Economia e Centro de Estudos de Macau da Universidade de Macau, que tinham considerado que no ano passado as receitas brutas do jogo iriam ultrapassar 90 mil milhões de patacas.Sobre a recuperação da economia, o académico indicou que vai depender dos efeitos da pandemia e restrições fronteiriças, do número de turistas e de jogadores. Contudo, não deixou de notar que a redução acentuada do sector dos grandes apostadores pode influenciar o ritmo da recuperação, uma vez que este segmento era responsável por uma parte considerável das receitas dos casinos.Quanto ao futuro, Kwan Fung afirmou acreditar que o Governo vai trabalhar empenhadamente para atingir a diversificação a longo prazo. Enquanto tal não é possível, considera que Ho Iat Seng vai apostar em algumas medidas sociais a pensar nos grupos mais desfavorecidos, mesmo que tal implique que o orçamento da RAEM continue a registar défices e a recorrer às reservas acumuladas ao longo dos anos.

https://hojemacau.com.mo/2022/01/05/economia-academico-defende-que-recuperacao-depende-do-sector-do-jogo/

dez21

Investment bank Morgan Stanley has likened uncertainty around Macau’s gaming market and subsequent depression of share prices to the start of January 2016, with the next 12 months likely to resemble the recovery trajectory seen six years ago. In a Tuesday note, Morgan Stanley analysts Praveen Choudhary, Gareth Leung and Thomas Allen noted a number of similarities between now and then, with the current market cap of US$58 billion only just above the US$53 billion seen in January 2016 – to this day the lowest it has been since mid-2011. That 2016 level followed the imposition of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ant-graft crackdown, which dealt a huge blow to Macau’s previously dominant VIP sector. “GGR growth in 2022 should drive outperformance like 2016,” the analysts said. “Macau stocks’ market cap bottomed in January 2016, roughly 12 months after GGR growth year-on-year bottomed at -50% in early 2015. But by January 2016, GGR growth rate was -20% and it was visible at that time that year-on-year would turn positive sometime in the later part of 2016. This drove a material stock price rebound of 26% year-on-year in 2016.

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/12/15/macau-set-for-2016-like-recovery-from-2022-morgan-stanley/


nov21

Macau is not likely to see a new $5 billion property anytime soon beyond Galaxy’s Lot 4 project, with operators expected to leverage their existing assets to address emerging and underserved market sectors and maximize existing customers, says Lee Montaina, managing director of Westar Architects International Macau Limited.  Pre-2014, during the boom days for Macau gaming, the city’s gaming concessionaires were scrambling to meet unfettered gaming demand from Mainland China. We saw the grand opening of Wynn Palace and The Parisian Macao in 2016, MGM Cotai and Zaha Hadid-designed Morpheus Hotel in 2018, and Grand Lisboa Palace which opened this year, just to name a few. “Every property was trying to ‘top the next thing,” said Montaina in an interview with Asia Gaming Brief. https://agbrief.com/news/macau/29/11/2021/new-5-billion-property-not-on-the-cards-for-macau-soon-montaina/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=29a5476e30-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-29a5476e30-69255637&ct=t()&goal=0_51950b5d21-29a5476e30-69255637


dez21

The Macau gaming market will “probably be bumpy over the next six or 12 months” amid travel restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, said on Wednesday the chief financial officer (CFO) of MGM Resorts International, the United States-based majority owner of Macau casino operator MGM China Holdings Ltd. “I think it’s going to improve, but it’s unknowable at this point how quickly that will improve,” said Jonathan Halkyard. . The CFO noted, referring to the Macau market’s third-quarter earnings season for the six operators there: “We all saw the revenues that were reported recently, operating at kind of 30 percent of 2019 levels – though sequentially it was a bit better – this is a market that has been impaired by the travel restrictions into it, and that’s going to last for a while.” https://www.ggrasia.com/six-months-plus-of-bumpy-biz-for-macau-mgm-resorts-cfo/


nov21

Segundo um relatório da Fitch Ratings, as receitas do jogo têm melhorado em locais que adoptaram uma estratégia de convivência com o COVID-19. A agência de notação financeira antevê uma recuperação mais lenta em Macau, em relação à Austrália e Singapura, e semelhante à da Malásia. https://jtm.com.mo/local/politica-de-zero-casos-atrasa-jogo-diz-fitch/

nov21

Casino jurisdictions with a “‘living with the coronavirus’ mentality” and “faster vaccination rollouts” relative to other places, have seen improving gaming revenue, while casino jurisdictions that rely on inbound visitors from China, are having a “challenging” time, says a report from Fitch Ratings Inc.

Authorities on the Chinese mainland and in Macau have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19. Macau has had three rounds of mass testing of its population, after infection cases were detected locally.

The detected cases led to tightening of rules for travel between the mainland and Macau, coinciding with pauses in recovery for the city’s casino gross gaming revenue, a number of analysts has said.

Macau, the only place in China where casinos are legal, has a largely quarantine-free travel arrangement with the mainland. https://www.ggrasia.com/casino-places-living-with-covid-recovering-best-fitch/


nov21

China’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy will hinder the recovery of Macau’s gaming sector in 2022 relative to others markets in the region that have accepted its endemic nature, rating agency Fitch Ratings indicated in its 2022 Outlook: Global Gaming report.The country’s strict ‘zero-COVID’ policy – which applies to Macau and Hong Kong – entails locking down entire cities if a single case is detected, coupled with mass testing of entire cities and ever-changing severe travel restrictions. Still, the credit agency noted that if travel resumes to normal with Mainland China and Hong Kong faster than its gradual recovery assumptions, Macau revenues should ‘outperform’. https://www.macaubusiness.com/chinas-zero-covid-policy-to-hinder-macau-market-gaming-recovery-in-2022/

nov21

Macau observers are noting an increasing disconnect between the number of incoming tourists and gross gambling revenue, pointing to a changing demographic in those visiting Macau. “There is a changing demographic amongst the Mainland Chinese visitor,” said gaming consultant Ben Lee, managing partner of IGamiX Management & Consulting. “They are younger and there are more females.”“About 30 to 40 percent of them are young women and they do not gamble,” he said. Bernstein Research noted in September last year that there was a divergence between arrivals and GGR, with a follow up report in April suggesting that the reason was a “lower value customer pick up” as VIPs stayed away. “Is this market dynamics because of big discounts being offered on rooms to a demographic that doesn’t mind the tests and questions about whether they are coming to gamble?” said Lee. “Or is that that China is deciding which people can come?” He adds there is anecdotal evidence of China refusing to renew the passports of some premium mass and VIP gamblers in a deliberate manipulation of the visitor profile. https://agbrief.com/news/macau/09/11/2021/new-macau-traveller-less-likely-to-gamble/



nov21
More than a third of respondents to a recent survey by Asia Gaming Brief said they don’t expect Macau to ever return to its 2019 pre-pandemic GGR.
When respondents were asked where they thought 2022 full-year GGR will land – these answers ranged from between $8 to $24 billion, with most respondents marking $20 billion as their tip, indicating a healthy, but not rapid rebound towards 2019 revenue.
However, when respondents were asked what year they expect Macau to return to its pre-pandemic GGR, at least 36 percent of respondents answered with “Never”. https://agbrief.com/news/macau/10/11/2021/covid-recovery-is-pre-pandemic-ggr-a-pipedream/ 

nov21
O Chefe do Executivo, Ho Iat Seng espera que a taxa de vacinação contra a covid-19 atinja os 80 por cento “o mais cedo possível”, de forma a criar condições de negociação com outras regiões e “revitalizar o sector do turismo”. Durante um encontro com Pan Jiawei, o presidente da Conferência Consultiva Política do Povo Chinês da cidade de Hangzhou para trocar impressões sobre cooperação cultural e turística, o Chefe do Executivo salientou esperar que Macau, enquanto destino “saudável e seguro”, possa “atrair mais turistas do Interior da China”. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/11/05/vacinas-recuperacao-do-turismo-so-a-partir-dos-80-diz-ho-iat-seng/



out21

O especialista em ‘resorts’ integrados e gestão turística considera que a nova lei do jogo “não é um documento claro”.  As perdas dos casinos do território na bolsa, depois do anúncio das alterações legislativas na operação de casinos em Macau, foram superiores a 18 mil milhões. Isso também deixou McCartney apreensivo. “Foi racional?”, questionou. “Não”, respondeu.  Outra coisa que também deixou surpreso o académico foi o facto de o novo articulado não fazer menção, numa linha sequer, à pandemia de Covid-19. “Acho surpreendente que o documento não tenha referido nada, confesso”, admitindo que, no que resta, “não houve qualquer surpresa”. O académico, natural da Irlanda do Norte, também relembrou outros problemas que afectaram o sector do jogo e do turismo nos últimos anos, como a lei tabágica em 2016. “Acabou por trazer implicações no que aos turistas da China continental diz respeito”, notou, lembrando que tudo o que mexa com turismo terá de ser cuidadosamente ponderado, uma vez que o PIB do território está dependente 50,3% desse sector. https://pontofinal-macau.com/2021/10/28/macau-precisa-de-mais-planeamento-a-longo-prazo/ 

out21
As operadoras de jogo vão começar a implementar, a partir de 25 de Outubro, a política de apresentação de um certificado de vacinação ou de teste negativo à COVID-19 aos seus funcionários. Por outro lado, as autoridades lançaram um plano de testes de ácido nucleico para pessoas que vivem em zonas-chave. Os testes decorreram durante o dia de ontem, com as autoridades a estimarem em cerca de 50 mil as pessoas abrangidas https://jtm.com.mo/local/politica-de-teste-ou-vacina-chega-as-operadoras-de-jogo/



ou21
As receitas do jogo deverão rondar os 90 mil milhões de patacas no cômputo geral de 2021, representando menos de um terço do valor gerado antes da pandemia, segundo novas estimativas da Sanford C. Bernstein, que traçam um cenário cinzento para Outubro. Para a consultora, os casinos só irão superar os níveis pré-pandémicos em 2025, dois anos depois do prazo anteriormente previsto. https://jtm.com.mo/local/retoma-jogo-devera-demorar-mais-tres-ou-quatro-anos/



Out21
NOVO MODELO
Social distancing rules and changes in consumer preferences due to Covid are helping to prove a theory that casino slot optimization experts have held for some time. https://agbrief.com/news/australia/03/10/2021/covid-changes-accelerate-casino-slots-optimization/ 
Covid provides a catalyst for change. https://agbrief.com/news/elsewhere/03/10/2021/covid-provides-a-catalyst-for-change/
In this special report, we asked gaming industry executive David Croft, former general manager of product and strategy at The Star Sydney, to put himself in the shoes of a patron visiting a casino of the future. What technology will he come across, what kind of experience will he have? We see the entire customer journey through his eyes. https://agbrief.com/news/elsewhere/03/10/2021/a-journey-through-the-casino-of-the-future/

set21

observers also note a disconnect between the number of incoming tourists and gross gambling revenue.“There is a changing demographic amongst the Mainland Chinese visitor,” said gaming consultant Ben Lee, managing partner of iGamiX Management & Consulting. “They are younger and there are more females.” “About 30 to 40 percent of them are young women and they do not gamble,” he said. Lee’s comments on the demographics stem from observations on the ground, which have been backed up by talks with casino operators. Bernstein Research noted in September last year that there was a divergence between arrivals and GGR, with a follow up report in April suggesting that the reason was a “lower value customer pick up” as VIPs stayed away. The big question is why?  “Is this market dynamics because of big discounts being offered on rooms to a demographic that doesn’t mind the tests and questions about whether they are coming to gamble?” said Lee. “Or is that that China is deciding which people can come?” LI NK

set21
O plano de excursões locais só será reactivado após a autorização dos Serviços de Saúde. Segundo Helena de Senna Fernandes o regresso do programa incluirá actividades diárias. A responsável estima que Macau receberá entre 20 a 30 mil visitantes diários durante a Semana Douradade
https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/09/06/turismo-excursoes-locais-dependem-do-aval-dos-servicos-de-saude/

ag21

O Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) “inverteu a tendência decrescente”, ao registar um acréscimo anual de 69,5% em termos reais no segundo trimestre deste ano, o que representa a primeira subida homóloga em 27 meses, segundo dados da Direcção dos Serviços de Estatística e Censos (DSEC). Após ter crescido 4,1% no quarto trimestre de 2018, o PIB teve variações anuais negativas durante nove trimestres consecutivos, que se agravaram substancialmente em 2020 devido ao impacto da pandemia.Contudo, este regresso a “terreno” positivo deve-se em grande parte à baixa base de comparação do segundo trimestre de 2020, quando as actividades económicas foram abaladas pelas restrições fronteiriças, observou a DSEC. Além disso, entre Abril e Junho de 2021, a economia local beneficiou do acréscimo contínuo da procura externa, associado ao “controlo incessante da situação pandémica”. https://jtm.com.mo/local/pib-voltou-subir-nove-trimestres-depois/

ag21

Singapore is preparing to reopen borders and substantially ease local COVID-19 restrictions after becoming one of the first jurisdictions globally to fully vaccinate 80% of its population. The Ministry of Health issued an update on Sunday confirming that 80% of people had now received two doses of COVID vaccine, while 83% has received at least one dose. The milestone is expected to see Singapore move from the current “preparatory stage” of its COVID-19 recovery plan to “Transition Stage A”, with more businesses to reopen, social activities to resume and eased border restrictions to allow the resumption of some travel.~https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/08/30/singapore-hits-80-vaccination-milestone-prepares-for-reopening/


ago21

Lucrative severance packages offered by several casinos and junket operators in China’s gambling enclave of Macau suggest the city's high rollers expect the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will last well into next year.

In April, Galaxy Entertainment offered casino floor staff a one-time payment of $47,500—about a year’s salary—if they volunteered to quit. In May, Melco Resorts incentivized staff to take voluntary redundancy by offering 12 months’ pay and, in June, junket operator Suncity Group approved voluntary redundancy packages equal to 15 months’ pay.

“Casinos aren’t going to offer that outlay if they expect things to return to normal within a couple years,” says Ben Lee, managing partner at Macau-based gaming consultancy IGamix, as the casino city’s recent Delta outbreak shatters hopes that the island’s borders might reopen soon. https://fortune.com/2021/08/17/macau-casino-opening-covid-tourism-recovery/

ag21
(recuperação da economia)
Os economistas Henry Lei e Ricardo Sui descartaram a necessidade de uma nova ronda de apoios às pequenas e médias empresas locais afectadas pelas medidas do Governo na sequência de quatro casos confirmados na comunidade. No entender destes analistas, o objectivo das autoridades será assegurar a estabilidade social entre o final de Agosto e meados de Setembro e garantir o regresso à normalidade no território durante a Semana Dourada de Outubro. Já o economista Albano Martins reconheceu que as restrições de circulação e a queda do número de turistas comprometem definitivamente as previsões de receitas anuais do Governo, assim como poderá colocar em risco vários negócios locais. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2021/08/10/especialistas-acreditam-numa-rapida-recuperacao-economica-apos-normalizacao-dos-fluxos-turisticos/


ago21
Depois dos sinais de recuperação registados no início do segundo trimestre de 2021, as receitas de jogo em Macau tiveram uma forte quebra na primeira semana de Agosto por causa de quatro casos de infecção por Covid-19 detectados na comunidade. As restrições impostas pelo Governo na semana passada levaram à descida no número de visitantes provenientes do interior da China com consequências para uma indústria altamente depende do turismo. Na opinião dos especialistas Ben Lee e Glenn McCartney, a recuperação do sector do jogo em Macau está dependente do plano de vacinação da população e das políticas de saúde pública implementadas. Sobre os novos contratos das operadoras de jogo, os analistas consideram que o Executivo irá prolongar as concessões até controlar a situação pandémicahttps://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2021/08/12/governo-deve-prolongar-concessoes-por-mais-um-ano-apos-quebra-de-receitas-em-agosto-dizem-analistas/

AGO21
CASINOS NA ASIA E OCEANIA PdS
https://agbrief.com/which-casinos-are-open-2/ 

jul21

Macau gaming analysts have revised down their GGR estimates for the remainder of 2021 as the SAR continues to face headwinds from COVID-19 spot fires across mainland China and a slower than expected reopening of the border with Hong Kong.

The revised estimates follow publication of Macau’s July GGR results on Sunday, with revenues up 29.2% over June but still down 65.6% versus July 2019 at MOP$8.44 billion (US$1.05 billion). Analysts had been predicting a decline of closer to 60%.

July’s results saw Deutsche Bank’s Carlo Santarelli revise down its estimates for the September quarter by 21.0% from US$4.28 billion to US$3.38 billion. The new estimate would represent a 62% decline on 3Q19 but 452% improvement over the same period last year. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/08/02/covid-19-lag-sees-analysts-revise-down-2021-macau-ggr-estimates/


jul21

Morgan Stanley has added its take to analysts predicting a rosy future for Macau, saying the gambling hub will come back stronger than before due to lower expenses and a better operating mix. The firm said due to the cost cutting and higher margin business from the premium and mass market sectors, gross gambling revenue only needs to get to 80 percent of its prior levels for EBITDA to be back where it was pre-pandemic. As a whole, Macau’s operators have cut operating expenditure by about 35 percent since 2019, with Melco Resorts & Entertainment leading with a 46 percent reduction. Staff costs, excluding Melco, are down 17 percent, while there has been an 8 percent reduction in headcount. Galaxy Entertainment saw the biggest drop in number of employees. https://agbrief.com/headline/macau-seen-coming-back-stronger-from-covid-ms/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=d677bc1a90-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-d677bc1a90-69255637&ct=t()&goal=0_51950b5d21-d677bc1a90-69255637&mc_cid=d677bc1a90&mc_eid=31e20475e6 

jul21

Brokerage J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd says there is still long-term value in Macau casino stocks, although the sector’s recovery is taking longer than previously forecast. The recovery has been negatively impacted by recent Covid-19 cases in mainland China’s Guangdong province, and delays in the establishment of a “travel bubble” with Hong Kong, it stated. In a note issued on Monday, analysts DS Kim, Derek Choi and Livy Lyu stated that channel checks by the brokerage suggested that a pick-up in demand was already taking shape. “Our checks suggest upbeat summer holidays, with encouraging feedback on the level of player inquiry and booking,” the JP Morgan team wrote. https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-recovery-story-not-broken-only-delayed-jp-morgan/ 

jul21
As receitas do jogo deverão superar o nível pré-pandémico em 2023 e alcançar um recorde histórico dois anos depois, indicam novas estimativas da consultora Sanford C. Bernstein, prevendo ainda uma recuperação de 50% em 2021 face aos resultados de 2019. Segundo o relatório, a Sands China irá manter a hegemonia no mercado de massas. https://jtm.com.mo/local/jogo-podera-atingir-pico-historico-em-2025/ 

jun21

Fitch Ratings Inc says it expects Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) to recover to 2019 levels, i.e., those before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, by 2024. Such a scenario “may prove conservative given current trends,” said the institution in a Tuesday report. The report focused on U.S.-based casino operator MGM Resorts International, and was issued following the company’s announcement last week that it had reached an agreement to acquire, for nearly US$2.13 billion, the remaining 50 percent stake in CityCenter, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Once the deal is finalised, MGM Resorts is to sell CityCenter to funds under private equity management firm The Blackstone Group, for US$3.89 billion in cash, and lease back the Aria Resort and Casino and Vdara Hotel and Spa within the complex. https://www.ggrasia.com/fitch-expects-macau-ggr-at-pre-covid-19-levels-in-2024/ 

jun21

À luz do artigo 303.º da Lei Penal da República Popular da China, que prevê que quem organizar deslocações de cidadãos chineses para a participação em jogos de fortuna ou azar no estrangeiro deve ser punido, Au Kam San alertou para os perigos que a norma representa para o sector do jogo em Macau, nomeadamente para as salas VIP dos casinos. O democrata falava na reunião plenária de ontem da Assembleia Legislativa (AL).Apesar de a China ter ressalvado que a norma não se aplica a Macau, o deputado democrata diz que a alteração à lei chinesa “transforma o modo de funcionamento das salas VIP num acto criminoso” que, segundo Au Kam San, “não podem continuar com o modelo de actividades adoptado até agora”. “As condições de exploração do jogo em Macau vão certamente alterar-se de forma significativa”, aponta o deputado, acrescentando que isto “pode mesmo significar que a era dourada desta indústria, que tem vindo a subir em flecha há mais de uma década, vai ficar para trás”.

https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2021/06/17/au-kam-san-alerta-que-era-dourada-do-sector-do-jogo-em-macau-pode-ter-os-dias-contados/ 


Jun21

The Labour Day Golden Week has boosted May gross gaming results by 24.3 per cent when compared to the prior month to some MOP10.4 billion (US$1.3 billion), the highest monthly amount since the pandemic started, data published today (Tuesday) by the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau (DICJ) reveals.

The holiday period between May 1 and 5 reported the highest daily visitor numbers in the SAR since the pandemic started and average daily revenues of some MOP600 million, however, numbers quickly subsidised in the remaining of the month.

mai21
Newly-reported cases of Covid-19 infection in mainland China – including some in Guangdong province neighbouring Macau – is likely to cloud in the near-term, the enthusiasm of mainland residents to come to Macau as tourists, and might also delay steps to ease travel restrictions between the places, say several tourism industry figures.
https://www.ggrasia.com/new-mainland-covid-cases-brake-on-macau-tourism-bosses/


mai21

The Morgan Stanley banking group has cut by 19 percent its estimate for Macau market casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated this year. The bank said its downward revision was due to “continued delay” in easing of travel rules relating to movement between Hong Kong and Macau, and between mainland China and those places. https://www.ggrasia.com/morgan-stanley-cuts-its-macau-2021-ggr-forecast-by-19pct/ 



maio21

Macau Shows Robust Rebound for Those Who are Truly Patient in New Morgan Stanley Report. https://www.onlinecasinoreports.com/articles/macau-shows-robust-rebound-for-those-who-are-truly-patient-in-new-morgan-stanley-report.php


may21

Following the end of a Labour Day Golden Week that saw the highest number of daily visitor entries since the pandemic started, a Fitch Ratings senior consultant told Macau News Agency the rating agency still believes the SAR is en route to achieve at least half of gaming revenue volume reported in 2019 Following a 56 per cent plunge in 2020, Fitch Ratings’ has forecasted that the Macau SAR will see a 53 per cent GDP economic rebound in 2021 based on estimates that gross gaming revenues will recover to nearly half of the pre-pandemic levels. https://www.macaubusiness.com/sar-can-still-achieve-half-of-pre-pandemic-annual-gaming-revenue-tally-in-2021-fitch/

ab21
Rising mass visitation, high VIP hold push Macau GGR to MOP$300 million per day.
https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/04/20/rising-mass-visitation-high-vip-hold-push-macau-ggr-to-mop300-million-per-day/


abr21

The SAR’s gaming operators will likely only see a full recovery in revenues to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, brokerage Union Gaming states in a report. The gaming consultancy predicts that aggregate revenue and EBITDA return should return to 90 per cent and 95 per cent of 2019 levels by 2022, assuming VIP recovers to 50 per cent and mass by 105. https://www.macaubusiness.com/full-gaming-market-recovery-likelly-only-in-2023-brokerage/


mar21
ARTIGO DE CONTEXTO
https://agbrief.com/macau-operators-back-in-the-black-and-seeing-market-improvement/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=ccc901b0c6-AGBriefings-December-2020_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-ccc901b0c6-69255637&ct=t(AGBriefings-December-2020_COPY_01)&goal=0_51950b5d21-ccc901b0c6-69255637

mar21

Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein said the company “firmly believes” the Macau market will recover and will benefit in the future from infrastructure developments throughout the Greater Bay Area. Writing in the group’s 2020 annual report, Goldstein said the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was a “major milestone” that will help Macao grow tourism and MICE business in the years ahead. Goldstein said the company will continue to follow its late founder Sheldon Adelson’s vision in investing in its Macau properties. So far it has spent $15 billion on building its four Macau IRs and will continue with targeted investments. https://agbrief.com/headline/sands-ceo-says-infrastructure-development-to-benefit-macau/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=f59a8c30fc-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-f59a8c30fc-69255637&ct=t()&goal=0_51950b5d21-f59a8c30fc-69255637&mc_cid=f59a8c30fc&mc_eid=31e20475e6



mar21
Mass-market table and slot business in Macau casinos could benefit next year from “onshoring” of Chinese consumer play that in pre-pandemic times might have gone to neighbouring Asia Pacific (Apac) gaming venues, says a report from the Morgan Stanley banking group.

“According to our estimate, 20 percent of all Asia (ex-Macau) mass revenue could come back to Macau by 2022,” stated analysts Praveen Choudhary, Thomas Allen and Gareth Leung. The institution estimated – based on industry data and its own research – that Asia-Pacific casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) for mass-market table games and slots, generated outside the Macau (pictured) market, was about US$10.3 billion in 2019. http://www.ggrasia.com/apac-casino-market-share-lost-to-macau-by-2022-ms/


mar21

“Macau tem vivido com alguma ‘tranquilidade’ há mais de um ano devido à COVID-19, por isso, creio que é oportuno pensarmos no futuro. Este sistema de jogo vai continuar? Macau é uma cidade turística com jogo, mas os complexos turísticos que contêm elementos não jogo, por exemplo, gastronomia e eventos de entretenimento, obtiveram melhores resultados em termos do fluxo de pessoas e dos volumes de negócios”, observou Carlos Siu, sustentando que os casinos com elementos não jogo mais atractivos registarão sempre melhores resultados durante a pandemia.

A título de exemplo, apontou o caso dos casinos satélites, que atravessaram momentos muito difíceis devido à ausência quase total de visitantes. “Normalmente, os casinos satélites não têm nenhuma instalação de diversão sem ser o jogo. Têm poucos restaurantes, servem apenas para as pessoas jogar, comer e dormir. Durante a pandemia, notei que um quarto nesse tipo de hotéis caiu para menos de 100 patacas. Parece que recuámos muito no tempo”, disse.

Além disso, segundo o académico, a experiência de jogar bacará em diferentes casinos não é muito diferente, uma vez que está presente em todos os espaços de jogo. “É necessária uma inovação dos elementos de jogo, oferecer novas experiências e mais inspiração aos clientes, para que eles regressem no futuro. Por isso, os casinos devem ter instalações apelativas e o seu serviço tem de ser muito bom. Creio que devem oferecer serviços para os visitantes do Interior da China poderem fazer uma pausa na sua vida muito ocupada no dia-a-dia”, referiu.

https://jtm.com.mo/local/nao-podemos-ter-pressa-na-revisao-da-lei-jogo/



mar21
Health authorities have announced today (Tuesday) that starting from midnight of March 3 the requirement of negative nucleic acid test to enter gaming areas and casinos will be scrapped. The requirement had been in force since July, 2020 for residents and non-residents. https://www.macaubusiness.com/negative-nucleic-acid-test-requirement-for-entry-in-casinos-removed/


fev21

Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, chairman and chief executive of casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, says Macau’s casino sector could start showing recovery signs in “mid-to-late March”. He forecasts that “sometime in the second quarter” the market might start displaying “some normalisation”. Mr Ho made the comments during the group’s conference call on Thursday to discuss fourth-quarter earnings. “We remain optimistic on the recovery in Macau and continue to expect increased visitation in the near-term,” he said. http://www.ggrasia.com/melcos-lawrence-ho-hopeful-on-macau-recovery-in-march/ 


jan21
Las Vegas Sands and its Macau-subsidiary Sands China stand ready to invest another US$5 billion to US$10 billion into Macau should the government incorporate further capital expectations into its license retenderinghttps://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/01/28/las-vegas-sands-ready-to-invest-another-us10-billion-in-macau/

jan21

nvestors in Macau casino stocks are looking beyond the current phase of market comeback, preferring to be focused on a possible “recovery in second half 2021 and rebound in 2022 with respect to potential normal operating environment and stock price performance,” says a Tuesday memo from Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. Junket VIP play could “continue to face significant headwinds in 2021 and into 2022,” wrote analysts Vitaly Umanksy, Tianjiao Yu and Kelsey Zhu. http://www.ggrasia.com/investors-see-2h-macau-gain-rebound-2022-bernstein/


jan21

anking group Morgan Stanley has reduced by about 10 percent its 2021 estimate for Macau casino gross gaming revenue (GGR), to the equivalent of nearly US$23.7 billion. It adds that its new estimate represents about 65 percent of Macau’s 2019 GGR level, but is below investor consensus at 70 percent. 


dez20
GGRAsia asked several commentators on the Asia-Pacific industry to give their thoughts on what opportunities have arisen from the crisis, that might benefit the sector in 2021 and beyond.
2020 pandemic forced casinos to evolve: experts: “Many companies had no choice but to take a fresh look at how they do business, how to attract, serve and retain customers, whose service, health and safety expectations had changed irrevocably,” he added. One particular effect of the crisis has been to increase operator and consumer interest in electronic table games (ETGs).
http://www.ggrasia.com/2020-pandemic-forced-casinos-to-evolve-experts/

dez20
Está em aberto o futuro dos contratos de concessão do jogo. O Chefe do Executivo deu ontem a entender que o prolongamento das licenças do jogo é uma hipótese da cima da mesa, apesar de não ter tecido longos comentários sobre a matéria. Por outro lado, revelou que se estima um preço médio de 500 patacas por pessoa em relação às vacinas para a COVID-19. O Chefe do Executivo admitiu ontem a possibilidade de prolongar as licenças do jogo, mas não deu quaisquer certezas. “O prolongamento das licenças é um tema sensível, por isso não vou comentar. Tudo é possível, mas é preciso seguir os procedimentos”, afirmou Ho Iat Seng à margem da cerimónia do 21º aniversário da RAEM, citado na imprensa em língua chinesa. https://jtm.com.mo/local/futuro-jogo-esta-em-aberto/


nov20

urisdictions benefiting from local support will continue to outperform in the first half of next year, with destination markets such as Singapore, Macau and Las Vegas, likely to begin a faster pace of recovery in the second half once vaccines become more widely available, Fitch Ratings said. In its 2021 outlook for global gaming, Fitch points out that next year is likely to continue to be affected by targeted measures, such as temporary closures and operating restrictions. However, it doesn’t expect the impact to be as severe as it has been in 2020. LINK

nov20
Segundo os analistas Vitaly Umansky, Tianjiao Yu, Kelsey Zhu e Xiaonan Zhang, as receitas brutas dos casinos deverão crescer a uma média anual de 2% entre 2019 e 2023, impulsionadas por uma subida de 6% no mercado de massas, sobretudo “premium”, compensando um decréscimo de 4% nas salas VIP. Tendo em conta as incertezas “em torno da liquidez e da procura do mercado”, bem como o reforço do controlo de capitais, advertem que as receitas VIP poderão não recuperar antes de 2023. Na fase inicial de recuperação, a consultora espera que as operadoras melhor posicionadas no segmento “premium”, como a Melco e Wynn, tenham um desempenho superior a curto prazo, já que esses clientes são menos afectados pela pandemia. https://jtm.com.mo/local/cinco-operadoras-de-jogo-ja-equilibraram-contas/

nov20

A brokerage says it is “now not assuming” VIP gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Macau will “recover before 2023,” until there is “more visibility around junket liquidity and demand”. “VIP in 2021 – and to a lesser extent some premium mass – could be negatively impacted by continued tighter capital controls and customer and agent concerns about dealing with junkets,” said a Friday report from Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. http://www.ggrasia.com/macau-vip-comeback-maybe-only-2023-sanford-bernstein/

nov20
SJM Holdings Co-Chairman and Executive Director Angela Leong says Macau’s operators must change their way of thinking, including reducing distinctions between VIP and mass gaming as well as a greater focus on non-gaming attractions, if they are to expedite recovery from COVID-19. “We’re now seeing a certain increase in gambling revenue but under the current circumstances we can’t expect too much other than to strive for stability,” Leong said.

“I believe that all concessionaires are now thinking about switching their current development methods to strengthen the development of non-gaming elements. Some [gaming] measures also need to be changed.” Expanding on such measures, Leong suggested downplaying the distinction between VIP and mass market players. “Every guest is our VIP,” she said, “I believe in the future, no matter how much a guest spends, he or she should be treated as our VIP from the moment they enter our integrated resorts. “In terms of non-gaming elements, we need to think about how to match the current development of the country, especially the development of the Greater Bay Area. “We need to think about how to increase our tourists, and what they expect to enjoy when they arrive. In addition to the gaming industry, is there any other better environment to increase the number of tourists coming to Macau and spending more? That’s what our current strategy focuses on.” Leong said this strategy should also be employed as a means of responding to recent reports of a crackdown on cross-border gambling by mainland China. “We must change our way of thinking,” she continued. “Instead of worrying about the visitors not coming, we’d better think how to bring them back. We all need to discuss how to develop in the future. That’s why we’re having today’s seminar, with scholars from mainland China discussing issues with us. We need to think outside the box.” https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/11/04/sjms-angela-leong-says-rapid-recovery-from-virus-pandemic-needs-new-approach-to-macau-gaming-and-non-gaming-development/


nov20

Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2021 might only reach MOP130 billion (US$16.28 billion), i.e., 44.5 percent of 2019′s MOP292.5 billion, as “harsh” economic conditions are likely to persist, and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic will “take time”, says the city’s government in its budget proposal for the fiscal year 2021. The city’s budget proposals are typically conservative when forecasting the community’s aggregate take from gambling operations in the following 12 months. The 2021 fiscal budget would – like retrospectively that of 2020 – be “in the red”, as it would be “hard to diminish within a short term”, the effects wrought on the local economy by the pandemic. According to the 2021 budget plan – to be debated soon in the city’s  Legislative Assembly – Macau’s take from gaming tax proper – levied at 35 percent of gross gaming revenue (GGR) – is expected to reach MOP45.5 billion for the fiscal year 2021. Other charges levied on GGR take the effective local tax rate on gaming to nearly 40 percent, although the difference is not reflected in the city’s actual fiscal budget. http://www.ggrasia.com/2021-casino-ggr-may-be-45pct-of-2019-says-macau-govt/ 


out20

investment giant JP Morgan Securities Asian branch is defining the forest with expectations of annual gross gaming revenues for Macau's 39 casinos to reach up to $36.58 billion--for 2022.

Recovery in 2022?

GGRAsia originally reported that the Hong Kong-based organisation made the projections official with a filing last week indicating an increase of 0.3% over 2019's $36.47 billion.

Macau's Struggles

While the assumption that the collapse is solely corona-related may be too narrow, Macau has nonetheless recorded six consecutive months of 90% year-on-year drops in GGR with the tally for Q1-3 down 82% lower year-on-year from 2019—down to a paltry $4.83 billion.

Barriers to Recovery

JP Morgan Securities clarified that the downturn during the pandemic has been exacerbated by “mounting uncertainty” in the VIP sector and delays in visa arrangements for mainland Chinese tourists.https://www.onlinecasinoreports.com/articles/jp-morgan-predicts-recovery-in-macau-but-how-will-the-mainland-acquiesce.php



ou20

Gradual improvement in Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) levels should serve as a “tailwind” to drive up pricing of Macau gaming stocks, says Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. “We believe continued improvement in sequential (weekly/monthly) GGR trends will serve as a tailwind for Macau stocks, including Las Vegas Sands (LVS), with much if not all, of the bad news priced in, in our view,” wrote Deutsche Bank analysts Carlo Santarelli and Steven Pizzella in a Monday memo. https://www.ggrasia.com/investor-view-on-macau-clouded-by-china-signals-db/


ou20

Revenue from Macau’s mass market baccarat reached MOP$1.88 billion (US$235 million) in the three months to 30 September 2020, up 77.4% on the previous quarter according to figures published by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau on Friday. The improvement follows a recent easing of border restrictions between Macau and mainland China, with the Individual Visit Scheme reinstated for residents of Zhuhai from 12 August, for all of Guangdong Province from 26 August and the rest of China from 23 September. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/10/18/mass-baccarat-revenue-shows-77-sequential-increase-in-3q20-vip-baccarat-up-56-as-covid-recovery-begins/ 


ou20
Success Universe provides additional loan for Ponte 16 LINK

out20
The Macau economy and particularly the tourism-related industries have been decimated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Several rounds of government support measures have been launched to assist businesses and individuals, e.g., tax relief, a consumption subsidy scheme, and a three-month subsidy for employees. Following the COVID-19 emergency, the Macau government has formally shelved the consideration of a tourist tax,14 which was floated in early 2019 to address overtourism in the city.15 While the current casino concessions (and their sub-concessions) are scheduled to expire in June 2022, no official discussions on the re-tendering are taking place at the present time as the local authorities have been focusing on addressing the social and economic challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis.16 As the pandemic has forced people to avoid non-essential travel, there have been voices in society calling for the possibility of online gaming; however, it is still too early to tell whether online gaming will be explored and proposed by the Macau government. 

The Macau gaming industry has been stalled after nearly two decades of growth. While the local casino activity has resumed, the demand for gaming appears to remain weak. There has also been a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Asia, and that could prompt another city-wide lockdown and thus imperil the business recovery of Macau casinos. In addition, the recent anti-gambling efforts taken by China will inevitably have a direct impact on the gaming developments in Asia. Though Macau is the only place in China where casino gaming is legal, the local gaming industry and especially the VIP junket business are certainly no exception to the national policy. Amid the ongoing coronavirus disruption and economic slump, patrons might not be gambling the way they were before the pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis, coupled with China's anti-gambling rules, could have punctured a long-run casino boom in Macau and across Asia. Macau casino operators are also facing the 2022 concession expiry and the looming re-tendering. It is, however, expected that drastic cuts in staff and services appear highly unlikely at this stage. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, casino executives remain cautiously optimistic while acknowledging that the pandemic has an adverse effect on the industry outlook over the short to medium term. Admittedly, the gaming industry has yet to see recovery, and the mass return of travelers and patrons to Macau is still uncertain in the midst of the pandemic. Most casinos nevertheless continue to make investments in talent, technology, and their development projects. With the resumption of Chinese visitation and the gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions, the forthcoming revenues generated by Macau casinos are set to serve as an industry barometer for assessing the full impact of COVID-19. Moreover, the casino activity in Macau could provide a glimpse of the future for other gaming jurisdictions currently facing the pandemic and the post-COVID-19 recovery. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/glr2.2020.0023


ou20
Opinion remains divided over the long-term outlook for Macau’s junket industry.  “Macau in 5 to 10 years down the line will be far less reliant on VIP – and that’s a good thing,” says Tash, who supports operators placing more focus on its higher-margin mass segments in the coming years.
 Others still consider VIP, be it junket-led or direct, to be an important tool in steering Macau towards quality of visitation over quantity.  Either way, there are undoubtedly going to be short-term challenges as the gaming industry starts the long road back from COVID-19 – a road not helped by China’s latest crackdown on gambling-related capital outflow.
 According to Credit Suisse analysts Kenneth Fong, Lok Kan Chan and Rebecca Law, the VIP system will “substantially scale down over the next few years, dragging the pace of recovery,” as a result of the crackdown.  They add, “Unlike in 2010-14, when the central government had targeted corruption, this time around, Beijing is targeting gambling activities. This hurts big players demand, affects junket debt collection, and blocks funding channel for big players. According to the State Council Information Office, it could be a three-year campaign until 2022.”  Although Beijing’s regulatory tightening on gambling activities and capital outflow is aimed more at maintaining China’s financial stability than specifically targeting Macau, the analysts noted recent reports that some big players had been stopped at the border and asked to declare they would not gamble while in Macau, placing a significant burden on demand. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/10/04/junkets-unmasked-part-2/

ou20
“Mounting uncertainty” in Macau’s VIP gaming sector and “nuisances” related to visa arrangements for mainland tourists could see Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) return to “normal” levels – i.e., pre-Covid-19 crisis – only in 2022, says JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd. http://www.ggrasia.com/macau-ggr-back-to-pre-crisis-levels-only-in-2022-jp-morgan/

out20

A sign Beijing is once again ramping up its anti-corruption rhetoric, combined with an increased focus on capital outflows are likely to be further factors hindering recovery in Macau, analysts said. Despite the fact that China allowed visitation to Macau to resume from Sept. 23, so far demand has not picked up as quickly as had been expected. In the first four days of the key Golden Week holiday, there has been a drop of 87.4 percent in visitors, compared with the prior year.  Analysts at Bernstein note there has been a resurgence of rhetoric against corruption over the summer, with an increased number of investigations targeting state-owned-enterprise executives and sub-ministerial level individuals“We see risk that the CCP may be embarking on a second wave Anti-Corruption campaign,” the note said. https://agbrief.com/headline/anti-corruption-drives-capital-flow-focus-add-to-macau-woes/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=daf8b283a9-AGB+%23001634+Tuesday+06+October+2020&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-daf8b283a9-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28AGB+%23001634+Tuesday+06+October+2020%29&goal=0_51950b5d21-daf8b283a9-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=daf8b283a9&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D


ou20
Os Serviços de Saúde garantiram que os oito postos de recolha de amostras para testes de ácido nucleico instalados em vários casinos de Macau durante a Semana Dourada seguiram todos os critérios exigidos pelas autoridades. As análises laboratoriais das amostras são feitas pela empresa Kuok Kim e custam 150 patacas aos clientes dos casinos. As autoridades admitiram também que não cobraram nenhum valor pelas operações de inspecção aos postos de recolha. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/10/06/casinos-instalaram-oito-postos-de-recolha-de-amostras-para-testes-de-acido-nucleico-durante-semana-dourada/

set20

Research conducted by The Macau Research Centre has shown that only one-third of visitors from mainland China to Macau during the first week of September had spent time gambling during their stay. The research, which follows the resumption of the Individual Visit Scheme for all residents of Guangdong Province on 26 August, included discussions with 107 mainland visitors between 1 and 6 September. Of those, 67.3% came from Zhuhai city and the remainder from other cities in Guangdong Province. IVS for the rest of China resumed on 23 September although the first approvals aren’t expected until 30 September https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/09/28/research-shows-only-33-of-macau-visitors-participated-in-gambling-after-ivs-resumption/ 28/9 Less than 20 per cent of tourists surveyed who came to Macau after the resumption of the individual visa scheme claimed to have come mainly for gambling, according to a Macau Research Centre study. The survey questioned 107 tourists between September 1 and 6 in local border checkpoints about their travel and consumption purposes in Macau. https://www.macaubusiness.com/gambling-purposes-only-motivated-less-than-20pct-of-tourists-after-visa-scheme-resumption/

set20

dicou Sales Marques, acrescentando que o teste de ácido nucleico à entrada dos casinos poderá fazer com que “essas expectativas não sejam atingidas” e afastar turistas das salas de jogohttps://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/economia-local-pode-dar-um-salto-com-regresso-dos-vistos-para-todas-provincias-chinesas-dizem-analistas/

set20

Macau Recovery Depends on Mass Market, VIPs ‘Under Pressure,’ Says Credit Suisse. Rebound hopes for Macau’s still ailing gaming industry lie squarely with mass market players, as tighter regulatory controls potentially crimp VIPs, according to Credit Suisse. Beijing is cracking down on junkets and money transfer channels often used by high-end gamblers looking to move cash from the mainland to the gaming center and back again. Those efforts could hinder Macau’s aspirations for a post-coronavirus recovery while putting an unusually large burden on ordinary gamblers to move the needle. This hurts big players demand, affects junket debt collection, and blocks funding channels for big players. According to the State Council Information Office, it could be a three-year campaign until 2022,” said Credit Suisse. https://www.casino.org/news/macau-recovery-wont-be-led-by-vips-says-credit-suisse/


set20
“We expect Macao’s economy to contract by 63 per cent in 2020, owing to the pandemic’s disruption of gambling and tourism. Falling investment and private consumption will reflect this, as households and businesses adjust to weaker economic activity,” the EIU says in its most recent report on the Chinese Special Region. The economy will recover in 2021, “although the fast pace of annual expansion will stem from statistical distortions caused by a low base of comparison,” it adds. The EIU does not expect any of the GDP’s by-expenditure components to return to pre-crisis levels by that year.
https://macaunews.mo/macao-to-recover-in-2021-reliant-on-chinese-tourism/

set20
Os analistas da agência de notação financeira consideram que a recuperação da indústria do jogo em Macau será “mais rápida” do que em Las Vegas, no Nevada. Os especialistas da Fitch Ratings apontaram para o regresso da emissão de vistos de turismo individuais na China como um dos factores cruciais para a recuperação do sector em comparação com outras regiões, onde a indústria do jogo é dependente do turismo internacional. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/09/21/recuperacao-do-sector-do-jogo-em-macau-sera-mais-rapida-do-que-em-las-vegas-indica-fitch/

set20

It is important to not cut costs excessively and therefore adversely impact our ability to deliver upon customer service standards when business returns,” noted Mr Lui in comments in the firm’s interim report, filed on Friday with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.  In an August 13 webcast, following the firm’s second-quarter results, Francis Lui Yiu Tung, the group’s vice-chairman, had said the company had reduced its daily spending by about 26 percent quarter-on-quarter, to “US$2.5 million” in the three months to June 30, compared to “about US$3.4 million” daily in the three months to March 31. http://www.ggrasia.com/galaxy-cuts-careful-for-sake-of-recovery-says-chairman/ 


set20

Average Macau daily casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the first six days of September was nearly double the average daily rate across the whole of August, according to a Monday note from brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. The institution estimated – based on what it termed “channel checks” – that the average daily rate for September 1 to 6 inclusive was around MOP83 million (US$10.4 million), compared to around MOP43 million in full August, meaning a sequential improvement of circa 94 percent. http://www.ggrasia.com/macau-early-sept-daily-ggr-near-double-aug-daily-bernstein/


ago20
Bernstein Research issued a note on Monday morning predicting that the Macau operators which focus more on the VIP market, Melco and Wynn, are likely to see a faster recovery than those which depend more on the mass market. LINK

GO20

Investors and others should be cautious about relying on too-rapid a comeback of Macau gambling revenues once tourists from greater Guangdong and the rest of mainland China start to return, says casino industry consultant Ben Lee, managing partner of IGamiX Management and Consulting Ltd, in comments to GGRAsia. Guangdong residents beyond Zhuhai can start applying for Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) exit visas from Wednesday (August 26), while IVS applications for residents of designated cities in the rest of China will restart on September 23. The IVS scheme and tour group visa scheme had been suspended in late January, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus linked to Covid-19. http://www.ggrasia.com/do-not-assume-rapid-macau-comeback-with-ivs-consultant/

ago20
The recovery of Macau’s gaming market to pre-Covid-19 levels is likely to take longer than initially expected, says the chairman and chief executive of casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, Lawrence Ho Yau Lung (pictured in a file photo). The resumption of exit tourist visas to Macau by mainland authorities will fuel a rebound, but such recovery is going to be “gradual”, not V-shaped, Mr Ho added.


ago20

Macau’s six operators are likely to be able to break even on the EBITDA level by mid-Autumn as China renews individual visit scheme visas, according to Bernstein Research. The firm says the operators should be able to break even once revenue returns to about 35 to 40 percent of Q4, 2019 revenue. LINK

ago20
O presidente do grupo Galaxy Entertainment alertou que, apesar da retoma da emissão dos vistos individuais ser um passo importante, ainda é prematuro antever a plena recuperação do mercado do jogo. Lui Che Woo espera que a pandemia continue a ter um impacto adverso nos resultados financeiros do grupo. A operadora de jogo fechou o primeiro semestre com um prejuízo de 2,9 mil milhões de dólares de Hong Kong https://jtm.com.mo/local/galaxy-anteve-impacto-prolongado-da-pandemia/

ago20

A reabertura de fronteiras com a província de Guangdong e a capacidade de Macau recuperar receitas com o mercado chinês colocam o território em vantagem para uma recuperação do sector do jogo a médio e longo prazo. Apesar das medidas de restrição impostas pelas autoridades nos casinos, Glenn McCartney acredita que a recuperação de Macau “será mais rápida” do que em Las Vegas. O professor de Gestão Internacional de Resorts Integrados da Universidade de Macau, Glenn McCartney, considerou que a recuperação da indústria do jogo local irá superar a de Las Vegas devido a vários factores, nomeadamente o número de casos diários registados no Nevada em comparação com a ausência de casos em Macau há várias semanas. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/08/07/recuperacao-do-sector-do-jogo-em-macau-vai-ser-mais-rapida-que-em-las-vegas/

jul20

Macau’s casino operators should reach break-even EBITDA in 3Q20, according to Morgan Stanley analysts, thanks to lower daily operating expenses and the easing of border restrictions with Guangdong Province. In a Tuesday note, analysts Praveen Choudhary, Gareth Leung and Thomas Allen estimate daily EBITDA will creep into the black to the tune of US$160 million in the current quarter, similar to 1Q20 levels and a significant improvement over the expected combined Macau industry EBITDA loss of US$1.07 billion for 2Q20. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/22/macau-operators-to-reach-break-even-ebitda-in-3q20-morgan-stanley/


jul20
Synergy Blue, a manufacturer of arcade-style casino games, recently published results of a survey of 1,000 adult US gamblers. The survey, conducted in late April 2020, uncovered interesting preferences and expectations of casino gamblers if they are to return to casinos now that they’ve started reopening. The survey presents some sobering statistics. Only 51% of those surveyed said they will gamble in casinos again once casinos reopen. But not all these customers will return without concerns. 26% of those planning to return said they will do so only if the number of active COVID-19 cases drastically reduces. One-fifth of intending returnees would wait for the stay-at-home orders to be lifted, and another one-fifth will do so only after a vaccine for the pandemic becomes available. Casino operators will have to re-evaluate their loyalty program and significantly enhance player reinvestment to attract and retain the customers who do return to play. Most pre-pandemic marketing strategies will have to be jettisoned, and strategies based on new segmentation models taking into account the new breed of customers and their expectations will have to be devised. Casino executives concur that casinos will need 50% to 60% occupancy just to break even when they reopen. Not many casino companies will be able to achieve this kind of customer patronage in the foreseeable future. Casinos who do make it through the various stages of post-pandemic terrain will have to totally and unconditionally recommit themselves to the doctrine of employee engagement and to the primacy of customer experience.  https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/08/casinos-will-reopen-but-will-customers-return/


27/7

The sharp downturn caused by Covid-19 has not altered the underlying structural reality that the future of Macau gaming lay much more with the mass market than with VIP, according to a new report issued by Bernstein Research. Bernstein projects that it will take several years for Macau GGR to fully recover from the impact of Covid-19, but by 2023E it will reach new heights, recording US$47 billion, led by 8 percent CAGR from the mass market. By that point, mass should be contributing 78 percent of incremental growth. In 2011, the contribution of mass to GRR was only 27 percent, but it has surged ahead of VIP over the past decade, and Bernstein projects that this trend will continue as Covid-19 subsides. LINK


26/7
Is Macau Finished? Only Recovery Can Tell https://www.onlinecasinoreports.com/articles/is-macau-finished-only-recovery-can-tell.php

23/7

The reopening of Hong Kong’s borders to Macau and Guangdong Province could be aimed for October Golden Week, leaving Macau’s gaming operators with a lengthy wait before returning to profitability, according to investment bank Jefferies. In a research note published Wednesday, Jefferies analyst Andrew Lee lowered his GGR forecast to reflect a 70% year-on-year decline for FY20, down from a previous forecast of a 45% fall, based largely on delays to a proposed three-way trave bubble between the three jurisdictions. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/23/hong-kong-border-delay-to-constrain-macau-ggr-recovery-until-october-golden-week-jefferies/


23/7
The resumption of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), an exit permit system for mainlanders from certain Chinese cities, is “critical” for the Macau casino industry to recover, said senior executives at Las Vegas Sands Corp. Without such visas, the relaxation from July 15 of quarantine arrangements for travel to the neighbouring Chinese mainland province of Guangdong is “negligible”. http://www.ggrasia.com/china-tourist-visas-critical-for-macau-recovery-lvs/ Adelson similarly touted his company’s strong balance sheet for allowing it to continue its expansion work in Macau and Singapore during the lockdown. Speaking on the analyst call, Adelson said his 70+ years of experience gave him “unbridled optimism that people will travel again, shop again and come together again to enjoy entertainment and social interaction.” https://calvinayre.com/2020/07/23/casino/las-vegas-sands-loses-1b-macau-nevada-casino-shutdow/

23/7
An easing by the end of this year of remaining “major travel curbs” linked to Covid-19, that have been affecting the Macau casino market, could see the city’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) return to “normal” – i.e., pre-crisis – levels by roughly the third quarter next year, says JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd. https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-ggr-might-see-pre-crisis-levels-by-3q-2021-analysts/

22/7
Macau’s VIP gaming sector has not seen much recent uplift in business, despite the relaxation from July 15 of quarantine arrangements for travel to the neighbouring Chinese mainland province of Guangdong, industry sources have told GGRAsia. Such measures had been in place as part of efforts to stem the further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. http://www.ggrasia.com/guangdong-travel-move-little-help-to-macau-vip-junkets/

22/7

Indústria do jogo em Macau não pode regressar aos níveis anteriores à pandemia sem vistos turísticos, adverte analista. Num artigo de opinião publicado no portal Casino, o especialista Todd Shriber assinalou que a reabertura das fronteiras entre Macau e a província de Guangdong foi um “impulso muito necessário” para a revitalização do sector, mas frisou também que Pequim precisa de reactivar a polícia dos vistos turísticos para uma revitalização efectiva do turismo e da indústria do jogo. “Actualmente, Macau recebe uma média diária de 2.000 visitantes, o que veio confirmar que o fim da política de quarentena de Guangdong teve algum impacto. No mês passado, as entradas diárias na região administrativa especial atingiram uma média de apenas 752 pessoas, e a taxa diária após o encerramento das fronteiras por causa da pandemia foi de 700 a 900 desde Fevereiro”, escreveu Todd Shriber. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/22/industria-do-jogo-em-macau-nao-pode-regressar-aos-niveis-anteriores-a-pandemia-sem-vistos-turisticos-adverte-analista/ +https://www.casino.org/news/macau-visits-are-on-the-rise-but-more-help-is-needed/

21/7
The Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the Macao Special Administration Region (MSAR) recently visited Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), MGM and Melco Resorts & Entertainment to present the gaming operators with certificates of appreciation for supporting COVID-19 prevention efforts in the mainland and Macao. The Liaison Office delegation last week also visited Sands China to present the company with a certificate of appreciation for its COVID-19 relief efforts, according to a statement from the Hong Kong-listed US gaming operator last Thursday. (SJM e Wynn?)
Suncity Group was given a Certificate of Donation by the Chinese central government’s Liaison Office to Macau for its efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. LINK

20/7
A reabertura dos casinos em Las Vegas contribuiu para um aumento exponencial de novos casos diários de infecção por Covid-19 e para a sobrelotação dos hospitais locais. Os funcionários dos casinos vivem agora num clima constante de medo enquanto médicos e enfermeiros tentam assegurar os serviços em hospitais sobrelotados. Com mais de 30 mil infectados na região, o estado do Nevada enfrenta uma crise de saúde pública sem precedentes com Las Vegas no seu epicentro. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/21/dos-casinos-para-os-hospitais-las-vegas-enfrenta-crise-de-saude-publica-sem-precedentes/

19/7

14/7

Macau’s gross gaming revenue could quickly reach up to 25% of 2019 levels following Monday night’s long-awaited news that the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement imposed by Guangdong Province on all visitors from Macau will be removed from 15 July. And that figure could jump to 70% of pre-COVID levels should the Individual Visit Scheme be reinstalled in the near future, according to analysts. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/14/macau-ggr-to-reach-25-of-pre-covid-levels-on-easing-of-guangdong-border-restrictions-analysts/


13/7

Macau’s Gaming and Inspection Coordination Bureau (DICJ) will require all people entering casinos to submit negative test results for COVID-19 and hold “green” health codes from midnight at the start of 15 July. The DICJ also requires gaming operators to conduct body temperature checks on all people entering casino floors, and must comply with fresh air ventilation standards. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/13/macau-requires-all-people-must-show-negative-covid-19-results-when-entering-casinos/


8/7
The survey presents some sobering statistics. Only 51% of those surveyed said they will gamble in casinos again once casinos reopen. But not all these customers will return without concerns. 26% of those planning to return said they will do so only if the number of active COVID-19 cases drastically reduces. One-fifth of intending returnees would wait for the stay-at-home orders to be lifted, and another one-fifth will do so only after a vaccine for the pandemic becomes available. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/08/casinos-will-reopen-but-will-customers-return/

7/7

Average daily revenue in Macau in the first few days of July is down 91 percent from the same month last year, though is up about 193 percent from June, according to research from Bernstein. Gross gambling revenue from July 1 to July 5 was MOP0.35 billion, the firm said, warning that for the month as a whole there is still very little clarity as to when border restrictions may be lifted. https://agbrief.com/headline/macau-adr-shows-signs-of-improvement-from-june/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=c3ae2fe76e-AGB%23001512-23APR20_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-c3ae2fe76e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_AGB%23001512-23APR20_COPY_01%29&goal=0_51950b5d21-c3ae2fe76e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=c3ae2fe76e&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

2/7
Pedro Cortés acredita ainda que o Governo devia estender as licenças das actuais operadoras, o que só está previsto acontecer em dois anos, já que “a crise que temos em mãos é avassaladora e quanto mais rápido for dado um sinal ao sector menos impacto negativo terá a economia”. Por essa razão, frisou, Macau deve “estender imediatamente por, pelo menos, mais um ano as concessões e subconcessões para além de 27 de junho de 2022”. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/analistas-defendem-reabertura-faseada-das-fronteiras-de-macau/

2/7
Macau legislator and gaming expert, Davis Ka Chio Fong, estimates gross gaming revenue could recover to around MOP$8 billion (US$1 billion) per month once Guangdong Province reopens its border with Macau. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/03/legislator-says-macau-ggr-can-reach-us1-billion-a-month-once-guangdong-border-restrictions-eased/

22/6
The Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing reported two weeks ago by Chinese state media could “push back” the loosening of the travel restrictions currently depressing inbound tourism to Macau, says a Monday note from brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd.
The Macau government said last week all travellers that have been in Beijing in the two weeks prior to arrival in Macau would be required from June 17 to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Sanford Bernstein said in its latest commentary it was “sceptical” that China’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for outbound visas, allowing citizens in selected cities to travel to Macau and some other places, could restart by July. http://www.ggrasia.com/july-timing-for-china-visas-to-macau-gloomy-analysts/

17/6

Macau’s gaming and integrated resort operators should prepare for the borders to remain closed during this year’s summer holiday period, according to director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. While the MGTO is working with the hospitality industry to offer more promotions for local residents in August, Senna Fernandes told media on Wednesday that border restrictions won’t be easily loosened during the summer and that visitors would therefore be unable to enter freely. “It is expected that border controls would remain limited in the short term,” she said. “Chinese or foreign visitors are unlikely to enter Macau, visitation will be limited to certain groups of visitors.” https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/06/18/mgto-director-says-operators-should-prepare-for-a-quiet-summer-holiday/ A directora dos Serviços de Turismo (DST) estima que o sector só regressará ao normal, isto é, registando os números do final do ano passado, em 2023.Num programa do “Ou Mun Tin Toi”, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes salientou que vários destinos turísticos no mundo não prevêem retomar o funcionamento normal do sector a curto prazo, apontando para uma retoma parcial. Assim, o regresso à normalidade deverá começar nos locais mais próximos do território. https://jtm.com.mo/local/recuperacao-turistica-apontada-para-2023/

15/6

Macau’s satellite and second tier casinos continue to outperform their much larger integrated resort cousins based on figures gathered by Inside Asian Gaming last week. As we’ve done for each of the past three weeks, IAG visited 13 casinos operating under license of SJM with three of those registering more than 100 players on the main gaming floor as per our head count.By comparison, the most recent IAG spot count of 11 Macau IRs saw a maximum of 30 players on any one main gaming floor (MGM Macau). https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/06/16/iag-spot-count-macau-satellite-and-2nd-tier-casinos-keep-chugging-along/

15/6

Restrictions on border crossings into Macau will not likely be lifted by the end of June, according to analysts from Bernstein Research. While there has been some loosening of border crossing restrictions, such as allowing applications for residents to cross the Macau-Zhuhai border for official purposes, or urgent/special reasons (now temporarily suspended due to a high number of applications), most restrictions between Macau, Hong Kong, and China are still firmly in place. Bernstein notes that there have been a very low number of cases in Guangdong and Hong Kong, however, there have been some concerns raised around several new local transmissions over the last two weeks in Hong Kong. LINK

15/6

Macau could see an “explosive” rebound in gaming demand from mainland Chinese patrons once the current border control measures enacted in both Macau and China are lifted, probably in stages, Mr Ma stated. “The reopening of [mainland] borders with Macau remains the biggest uncertainties now. But border crossing conditions will gradually normalise, and by then Macau would see an explosive rebound in [gaming] demand from mainland China, as this demand has been pent up for quite some time already,” he stated. http://www.ggrasia.com/fresh-virus-cases-stemmed-on-mainland-macau-investor/


13/6
The timing of Macau’s rebound will be partially dependent on resumption of visa issuance and lifting of mandatory quarantine requirements upon re-entry to China, both of which are significantly weighing on visitation despite the properties being open,” Fitch said. https://www.casino.org/news/us-gaming-industry-coronavirus-recovery-will-be-painfully-long/

11/6
Asked whether the Macau government should consider extending the gaming licenses of Macau’s concessionaires, all of which are due to expire in June 2022, due to the impact of COVID, the elder Lui replied, “I believe the Macau government understands the current situation in Macau and will deal with it fairly.”

9/11
Why Las Vegas May Bounce Back Faster Than Macao 
https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/06/10/why-las-vegas-may-bounce-back-faster-than-macao.aspx

10/6
Ambrose So, vice-presidente e director executivo da Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), afirmou ontem que o volume de negócios da operadora atinge agora apenas 10% do nível registado no ano passado, mas acredita que “já passou o pior momento”. Citado pelo “Ou Mun Tin Toi”, Ambrose So afirmou que as receitas de jogo vão “chegar ao fundo e depois dar um salto”. Expressando o desejo de que as fronteiras voltem à normalidade na segunda metade do ano, o director executivo da SJM, apontou para um cenário em que as receitas de jogo “disparem” no próximo ano. . https://jtm.com.mo/local/ambrose-espera-rapida-recuperacao-jogo-em-2021/

11/6

O retornar ao normal dos casinos, após a reabertura das fronteiras e a entrada de turistas, poderá não ser benéfica para o mercado de massas, pelo menos em comparação com o segmento de apostadores ‘premium’, consideram os analistas do grupo bancário Morgan Stanley. “A nova realidade impulsionada pelo distanciamento social é particularmente negativo para o mercado de massas devido à restrição de três jogadores por mesa”, refere a instituição financeira em comunicado. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/reabertura-do-jogo-ira-afectar-mercado-de-massas/


8/6

The Macau casino market’s “new normal”, once tourists come back to the city in larger numbers, might “not be as good for grind mass” as it would be for so-called premium mass, said a Monday memo from banking group Morgan Stanley. “The new normal driven by social distancing is particularly negative for grind-mass business due to restriction of three gamblers per table,” said the institution.


5/6
The MGTO today unveiled its long-awaited promotional platform for the city’s tourism industry, which includes a smartphone app called Macau Ready Go. Although aimed at visitors, the platform is first being opened for use by locals, and a total of 381 vendors are registered on it so far. The MGTO is calling on all local businesses to get registered, as it plans to launch promotions in Macau’s main visitor source markets soon in support of the industry’s post-pandemic recovery. MGTO But there is only one way we are going to get Chinese tourists coming back here in serious numbers for the foreseeable future: by putting redbacks in their pockets. Every city in China is doing it now. Why should any self-respecting Chinese tourist go anywhere unless there is a rebate of some kind involved? (MCAU INC)


4/6

There are various scenarios about visitation that could play out. At this stage, we are not likely to see a robust IVS opening this month. As such, GGR would likely see another 90%+ y/y decline. However, Guangdong and Hong Kong customers are critically important, driving around 35-40% of Macau GGR. Assuming full reopening of Guangdong and Hong Kong, and demand returning to normal levels, GGR could return to 35-40% of normal, under which condition most operators in Macau would start being EBITDA positive.Once the phasing of reopening begin, we expect a steady recovery, led by the high-end. This should allow operators with more high-end exposure (i.e., Melco and Wynn) to fundamentally outperform in the initial recovery phases. Bernstein


3/6
Mainland China has resumed processing both Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) and group tour travel visas to the SARs, according to an official announcement issued by the police department of Chongqing.
Chongqing city is one of the four municipalities under the direct administration of the Central Government of China. https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/chongqing-announces-resumption-of-visa-issuance-to-sars.html


2/6
The Tuesday news that Hong Kong is extending to July 7 its deadline for the end of a 14-day quarantine rule for arrivals from Macau, mainland China and Taiwan is a “disappointment” for Macau and could set back by at least a month the latter’s efforts to get its tourism industry going again, said JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd in a note. The decision by the Hong Kong government came amid new outbreaks of Covid-19 in that city. http://www.ggrasia.com/hk-travel-setback-to-hurt-macau-travel-easing-analysts/ O Executivo de Hong Kong anunciou ontem que vai prolongar novamente a obrigatoriedade de quarentena por mais um mês, até ao dia 7 de Julho. Actualmente, a RAEHK impõe quarentena a todas as pessoas provenientes de Macau, Taiwan e Interior da China. No caso de cidadãos oriundos de países estrangeiros, a obrigatoriedade de quarentena prolonga-se por mais três meses, até ao dia 18 de Setembro. A Secretária para a Saúde de Hong Kong, Sophia Chan, explicou que as autoridades vão manter a comunicação com os Governos Central e da RAEM, adiantando que já há condições para isentar algumas pessoas da China e de Macau do período de quarentena. Porém, ressalvou, isso será sobretudo aplicável às pessoas com maior urgência nas deslocações a Hong Kong. https://jtm.com.mo/local/hong-kong-prolonga-quarentena-para-residentes-de-macau-ate-julho/


25/5
Study confirms high-end gamblers maintained a Macau presence during COVID-19. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/05/26/study-confirms-high-end-gamblers-maintained-a-macau-presence-during-covid-19/


22/5
Mainland Chinese may still have a thirst for travel post the Covid-19 pandemic, but views are divided as to how much disposable income they may have to spend, especially in the region’s casinos . . LIMK

22/5
Gaming operators Melco Resorts, Wynn Macau and Galaxy Entertainment Group are better positioned for a post-Covid-19 recovery due to their higher focus on premium mass and VIP players, analysts at Sandford C. Bernstein indicated in a recent report. https://www.macaubusiness.com/melco-wynn-and-galaxy-better-positioned-for-post-covid-19-recovery-brokerage/

21/5
From now until June 30, MGM is offering limited-time staycation packages exclusively for Macau residents, where locals can enjoy a mini getaway at MGM COTAI and MGM MACAU with amazing deals.https://www.macauinc.com/mgm-offers-exclusive-staycations-packages-for-macau-locals/

21/5
 Wynn acredita que, “quando abrirem as fronteiras, Macau vai recuperar muito rapidamente, o que vai beneficiar os hotéis do Nevada que têm operações em Macau”.Por outro lado, Steve Wynn nota que “os grandes apostadores em Las Vegas são da China”, pelo que “as restrições de viagens continuam a ter um forte impacto”. https://port.tdm.com.mo/c_radio/index.php?ra=nd&id=22453

20/5

Possible reduction in the amount of space available for casino operations in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis might put fresh revenue pressure on casino technology suppliers, says a Tuesday note from Union Gaming Securities LLC. Referring to those markets that had a lengthy period of shutdown, analysts John DeCree and Sam Ghafir wrote: “We fear that less floor space post reopening will lead to incrementally more competition for said floor space and hurt supplier pricing power even further.” http://www.ggrasia.com/casino-suppliers-tussle-for-less-floor-post-virus-note/


18/5

O presidente e CEO da Melco, que falava numa conferência com analistas para análise dos resultados financeiros do primeiro trimestre, deixou transparecer alguma insatisfação relativamente às autoridades de Hong Kong. Macau tem sido “arrastado” por Hong Kong, atendendo à estratégia de reabrir as fronteiras entre as duas regiões ao mesmo tempo que com o Continente chinês, indicou. “A Chefe do Executivo de Hong Kong mencionou a possibilidade de abrir Guangdong juntamente com Macau, e apesar não registar um caso há mais de 35 dias, Macau está provavelmente à espera de Hong Kong. E ainda mais infeliz é o facto de Hong Kong ter começado a ter alguns casos de transmissão local nos últimos dias”, acrescentou. https://jtm.com.mo/local/lawrence-ho-elogia-macau-critica-hong-kong/

14/5

The date when the Macau casino market can get back to the sort of levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic is “slipping by the day,” said Lawrence Ho Yau Lung (pictured in a file photo), the chairman and chief executive of casino group Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd. He appeared to link that with the time it was taking for travel to normalise between Macau and mainland China. As of Thursday Macau had gone 36 days without a case of Covid-19. Mr Ho also said the firm remained committed to getting a casino licence in Yokohama, Japan, and added he could not “speculate” why Las Vegas Sands Corp, also a rival in the Macau market, “is not pursuing the opportunity” of a casino in Japan. He made the comments on his firm’s first-quarter earnings call on Thursday. The group made a loss of US$364.0 million, compared to a net profit of nearly US$120.1 million in first-quarter 2019 http://www.ggrasia.com/date-for-macau-comeback-still-unclear-lawrence-ho/ is right to lament the fact that Macau’s border reopening appears to be dependent on Hong Kong, which hasn’t been able to contain the coronavirus as well as Macau did.  (Macau INC)


8/5
O analista David Green disse esta quinta-feira à Lusa que Macau tem mais armas que Las Vegas para superar a crise do jogo causada pela Covid-19, porque tem avultadas reservas financeiras e pode contar com as apostas dos jogadores VIP. https://observador.pt/2020/05/07/macau-tem-mais-armas-que-las-vegas-para-superar-crise-diz-analista/

7/5
Despite the current negative performance, management at Wynn Resorts and Wynn Macau stated it was optimistic that business could resume once travel restrictions into and out of Macau are eased. The group pointed to domestic tourism volumes in mainland China during the recent Labour Day holiday as a sign of demand for tourism products. “We saw Chimelong’s resort, just a stone’s throw from Macau, absolutely packed over the main holiday,” noted Ian Coughlan, president of Wynn Macau Ltd. That was reference to themed-park Chimelong International Ocean Resort, located next door to Macau on Hengqin island – a piece of mainland territory touted by the mainland authorities as a non-gaming tourism centre to complement Macau. Mr Coughlan added: “There are people that want to come [to Macau's casinos] and once the border [restrictions] ease, we will have players.” http://www.ggrasia.com/wynn-macau-losing-us2mln-a-day-optimistic-about-rebound/

1/5
The management of casino brand MGM is confident that the Macau market will “rebound rapidly” probably from the summer, when it expects travel restrictions in the region, that have been part of efforts to stem the further spread of Covid-19, will be relaxed. The comments were made during a Thursday conference call with analysts following the release of the MGM group’s first-quarter earnings results.MGM Resorts International’s acting chief executive, Bill Hornbuckle, said on the call that the company believed the Macau market would “rebound rapidly” once the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for better-off independent travellers was restored and other travel restrictions were “loosened”. MGM Resorts is the parent company of Macau-based MGM China Holdings Ltd. The Macau unit runs MGM Macau (pictured) on the city’s peninsula and MGM Cotai in the Cotai casino district. http://www.ggrasia.com/mgm-confident-on-macau-recovery-from-summer/

1/5
Credit Suisse equity analyst Kenneth Fong said the final figure came as no surprise but tipped a relatively fast recovery in the near future, pending relaunch of the Individual Visit Scheme.“Looking ahead, we believe VIP should see a faster recovery,” Fong wrote in a Friday note. “We estimate the pent-up demand will help the VIP business to recover to 50% once borders reopen and likely reach 100% of the pre-virus level in summer time. “On the other hand, mass recovery is likely to be more gradual. We expect mass GGR to back to around 70% to 80% by summer holidays as the China may reopen IVS visa in phases, and 90% to 100% by end of the year.” https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/05/01/macau-ggr-down-96-8-in-april/

27/4

Macau’s gaming concessionaires may see a “sequential recovery” in gross gaming revenue throughout 2021, according to Union Gaming, a boutique investment bank and advisory firm focused on the global gaming industry.
Union Gaming, which has taken a more conservative view than some other analysts, suggests that such a recovery would manifest in the city returning to about 80% of the gross gaming revenue level of 2019 by next year. https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/analysis-gaming-even-conservative-casino-prediction-puts-80-revenue-recovery-in-sights.html
24/4
O impacto da pandemia nos negócios “tem sido algo sem precedentes”. “Nunca vi nada assim nos meus mais de 70 anos de carreira”, frisou o presidente e CEO da Las Vegas Sands, num comentário aos resultados do primeiro trimestre.Ainda que admita que a crise epidémica acarreta “muitos desafios”, Sheldon Adelson destacou que traz também oportunidades. “Não sabemos quanto tempo esta pandemia vai demorar mas estamos confiantes que o turismo recupere em cada um dos nossos mercados”. Por esse motivo, “agora não é tempo de parar ou abrandar o investimento em Macau”. “Vemos a oportunidade e temos a força financeira e o compromisso estratégico de fazer investimentos adicionais”, sublinhou o CEO. “Mantenho a minha crença de que Macau tem a oportunidade de se tornar um dos maiores destinos para negócios e lazer do mundo, bem como a capital do MICE na Ásia”. https://jtm.com.mo/local/sands-promete-continuar-investir-em-macau/

23/4
Management presented a very bullish outlook on Macau recovery trends, citing that when travel restrictions are lifted, a strong recovery in late fall is likely. Management was less bullish on Singapore and Las Vegas recovery trends (in that order), all of which is in-line with our view. In Macau, the recovery comes in two stages: 1) lifting of 14-day quarantine requirement in the Greater Bay region; 2) restart of IVS visa issuance which management expects to come in phases with potentially Guangdong province opening first, followed by the rest of China. Bernstein Quick Take: LVS / Sands China - Bullish outlook on Macau recovery, ample liquidity, well positioned for rebound

(ver tambem IMPACTOS)

"O director-executivo da MGM China disse hoje que a operadora de jogo vai apostar nos jogadores VIP de forma a recuperar do impacto económico causado pela covid-19. Numa entrevista online promovida pela Inside Asian Gaming, Grant Bowie afirmou: “Esperamos poucos clientes, mas de grade valor para nós”. “Todos os nossos planos dependem dos eventos do exterior”, frisou Grant Bowie, sublinhado que a aposta no território terá de passar primeiro pelo mercado VIP e só depois é que se poderá pensar no jogo de massas. “Acho que o Governo também prefere isso”, assumiu. “Quando estabilizar (o segmento) de massas poderá voltar”, explicou, reforçando que para já o foco será num “grupo particular de clientes”. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2020/04/21/mgm-china-estrategia-em-macau-passa-pela-aposta-nos-jogadores-vip-defende-grant-bowie/