New smoking rules come into effect in Macau

In Macau, new guidelines have allegedly come into force which prohibit patrons from smoking tobacco anywhere on a casino floor except at designated airtight ‘lounges’ which must be approved by authorities in line with improved technical criteria.

According to a report from GGRAsia, the new prohibition is part of the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control system which was approved by town ’s 33-member Legislative Assembly in July of 2017. This legislation came into effect from January 1, 2018, but included a provision which lent Macau’s more than 30 casinos a year-long grace period so as to change their policies on smoking and build their non-gaming ‘lounges. ’

The Macau Health Bureau reportedly clarified that it has up to now approved some 378 game-free smoking ‘lounges’ inside town ’s many casinos while still revealing this tally could eventually grow by nearly 7% return the end of the year to reach 404.

Missing software:

The government department also allegedly comprehensive that 13 local gambling venues had not applied for consent to run smoking ‘lounges’ on this listing said to include the Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited-accredited Casino de Presidente alongside seven Mocha Clubs-branded slot venues controlled by Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited.

It declared that SJM Holdings Limited had thus far moreover not requested for permission to offer smoking facilities during its Macau Jockey Club Casino, that is located inside the Macau Roosevelt Hotel, as well as inside its Grandview Casino, Eastern Casino, Royal Dragon Casino and Casino Grand Dragon.

Partial VIP exemption:

GGRAsia noted the new prohibition additionally covers tableside smokingthat had been particularly popular inside VIP player places, although gambling venues are able to escape this portion of the ban provided that they agree to install better air extraction systems.

First violations:

The first day of the new smoking policy was allegedly not followed by everybody as town ’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau joined together with the Macau Health Bureau to say they had filed grievances against five individuals for enjoying tobacco outside of designated regions. The government departments purportedly furthermore revealed the Tobacco Prevention and Control Office had received complaints against five casinos by means of a new anti-smoking hotline.