Macau law firm says online gambling legalisation could help

In a paper published by the International Law Office, Macau legal firm Rato, Ling, Lei and Cortés lawyers have suggested that the legalisation of online gambling could provide a much-needed fillip to the island’s gambling industry and “breathe new life” into what was once a booming market.

Partners Pedro Cortés and Manuel Moita wrote:

“It is clear that no licences are available to enable operators to offer remote gambling services in Macau, even though authorisations have been granted for the Macau Jockey Club (horse racing), Macao Yat Yuen (greyhound racing) and Macau Slot (sports betting) to accept online bets – which are presently the only legal options for online gaming in Macau.”

The paper goes on to reveal that legislation to legalise online gambling more generally was prepared several years ago but not submitted to the Legislature.

The lawyers point to the “huge potential” of a legalised online betting and gambling market in terms of benefits to the local economy and to government tax coffers.

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