Almost two weeks after Sam Hou Fai was sworn in as Macau’s sixth-term Chief Executive, redesignating former director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) Adriano Ho as Customs Commissioner in the process, the city’s gaming regulator is still without a new director.
This is despite a series of appointments across other government agencies, including O Lam as Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Tai Kin Ip as Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tam Wai Man as Secretary for Transport and Works, Ao Leong U as director of the Commission of Audit and Ao Leong Sheong as Commissioner of the Commission Against Corruption.
Ho, who spent four-and-a-half years as DICJ director, took on the post of Customs Commissioner on 20 December.
It is expected that the duties of the DICJ director of DICJ are to be temporarily assumed by the two deputy directors, Lio Chi Chong and Chui Hou Ian.
While there has been no news on any new appointment in the Official Gazette, industry representatives told IAG they hope the regulator can improve its efficiencies under a new director – particularly regarding the use of e-services. IAG understands that the DICJ still requires many of the entities it oversees to submit physical documentation rather than online.
“I hope the new director can be more clear in enforcing the law, be more specific in the guidelines and be more efficient in vetting and approving applications,” said Macau junket rep U Io Hung.
“I hope the DICJ can join the e-government systems launched by the government, such as the ‘Macao Public Service One Account’, to speed up the administrative efficiency and increase the amount of communication with the industry.”
Song Wai Kit, President of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association, believes the new government is concerned about the development of non-gaming elements and hopes the new director will be able to better promote the diversification of industries.
“I hope that a more professional candidate can be found and that the diversified industries can be brought into play for the healthy development of the gaming industry,” he said.
