The Official Gazette of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) has taken a hand in governing commission rates and methods of pay for junket operators. Under the revised regulations the Secretary for Economy and Finance will take responsibility for setting the maximum rate of commission payable for bringing in casino high rollers and determine how the money is paid.

Before the SJM monopoly was ended, junket operators expected to receive around 0.8% in commission but with the advent of competition the rate rose as high as 1.35% Macau’s six gaming operators, at the insistence of the government, have now agreed a 1.25% cap in order to create a level playing field for the casinos. The commission cap regulation will be enforced 30 days from its publication in the Official Gazette.

Under the new rules there will be penalties for failing to comply. Fines will range between 100,000 patacas (US$12650) and 500,000 patacas (US$63350). Last month the Chamber of Macau Casino Gaming Concessionaires and Sub-Concessionaires was established and its six members agreed to end destructive competition practices. The operators are asking the government to reduce gaming tax in order for their casinos to remain competitive in the face of the growing Asian casino market. (E-08.11.09)

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