Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN JAN 2022 92 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The government provided an analysis of and response to the public’s views on the dividend authorization proposal, some of which weremerely in line with the initial consultation document. However, some new information was forthcoming. The government response noted, “The opinions collected during the consultation period do not agree with the proposed restriction, and the main reasons for disagreement are that it will interfereinfreemarketoperations and may affect the investment intentions of concessionaires. “The SAR government will consider the concerns and suggestions put forward by various stakeholders and comprehensively analyze the overall content of the amendment and evaluate positive and negative impacts … in order to amend the law to protect the relevant interests.” Did you notice it? The amendment was presented as a fait accompli . The government is saying, “Yes, we hear your objections, butguesswhat, there’s going to be an amendment to the gaming law on this anyway.” The response also stated, “The gambling industry is a special industry.” This might be code for, “Yes, we understand our proposal is against normal free market principles and even contrary to general Macau commercial law, but you have to understand that gaming is ‘special’, and that’s our justification for doing this.” The government is saying, “Yes, we hear your objections, but guess what, there’s going to be an amendment to the gaming law on this anyway.” 政府は、「はい、反対意見には耳を傾けますが、 いいですか、いずれにせよこれに関してゲーミ ング法の改正は行います」と言っている。 IN FOCUS