Starting in 2024, Macau will impose limits on the number of junket groups that cater to high rollers from mainland China and other Asian markets. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) of Macau announced on Monday that it will grant a maximum of 50 licenses to junket groups in the coming year. Additionally, there will be a cap of 250 licensed employees allowed to operate within the junket industry.
This move stems from a directive by China's President Xi Jinping in 2013 when Macau's six casino operators generated a record-breaking $45 billion in revenue, seven times more than what Las Vegas earned that year. President Xi instructed law enforcement agencies and Macau's Judicial Police to clamp down on VIP travel organizers, citing concerns about significant capital outflows through Macau's tax haven and its potential impact on national security.
The consequences of this decision could be crucial for casino businesses in Macau, and affect their performance in the next few years.