New developments in Macao's gaming public policy: implications and effectiveness

Purpose: This paper examines the changes in Macao's gaming public policy following the 2022 revision of the gaming law. The revision introduces more regulations on the gaming industry and highlights the gaming industry's contribution to economic diversification, anti-money laundering and national security. The paper analyzes the economic, cultural and political factors that motivated these changes and evaluates the effectiveness of the new gaming public policy. Design/methodology/approach: This paper compares the different versions of Macao's gaming laws and the gaming laws of Nevada and New Jersey, using a qualitative approach to interpret the meanings behind the law text. Findings: The paper reveals that Macao's gaming public policy has changed significantly. The revised policy focuses more on economic diversification than the growth of the gaming industry and imposes more responsibilities on the gaming operators. It predicts that Macao's gaming industry will face more difficulties in increasing its market share in the next decade. Practical implications: The findings of this paper can help the Macao government assess its gaming public policy and other governments learn from the complex situation when developing their public policies. Social implications: The findings of this paper can enhance the understanding of Macao's gaming laws and the reality of Macao's gaming industry. Originality/value: This paper is the first in academia to address Macao's new public policy toward gaming.