Highly respected gaming industry academic, Professor Davis Fong, is among seven members appointed directly to Macau’s Legislative Assembly by Chief Executive Chu Sai On, it was announced on Wednesday.
Professor Fong – who is Associate Professor in International Integrated Resort Management and Director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Macau – is renowned as one of Macau’s foremost gaming experts, having spent more than a decade advising the government on various issues related to the industry.
Notably, he oversaw the government’s Mid-term review of the gaming industry, unveiled last year, which laid out a five-year plan for the development of the city.
He is also the man responsible for establishing Macau’s problem gambling initiatives, having conducted the gaming hub’s very first problem gambling study in 2003.
Now a lawmaker, his four-year tenure will see him directly involved in the process of reviewing and renewing the gaming licenses of Macau’s six concessionaires. The licenses of SJM and MGM are up for renewal in 2020 with Sands, Galaxy, Wynn and Melco Resorts following suit in 2022.
In an interview with Inside Asian Gaming in July, Professor Fong raised the prospect of the government issuing a seventh gaming concession post-2020, describing the scenario as being far more likely than many believed.
“I think from a society perspective we will welcome everybody who can help Macau achieve the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure,” Professor Fong said. “But one point is very clear – it’s not just a proposal. Whether they are visible, whether they have potential background or historical records to prove to society that okay, they are not the six (concessionaires), however they can help achieve the next level.
“I think society will welcome everybody who can help Macau achieve this new position.
“What we are trying to do is make sure that Macau can achieve the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure in the next 10 to 15 years. This is very clear in the five-year plan announced last year by the Macau government so anybody, any stakeholder, any players or any concessionaire or sub-concessionaire who can help Macau achieve the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure – if they are good players in Macau society the government will welcome them to stay here.”
The other six Legislative Assembly members appointed by the Chief Executive are Ma Chi Seng, Pang Chuan, Wu Chou Kit, Lao Chi Ngai, Iau Teng Pio and Chan Wa Keong.
