The Macau gaming license tender opened at 10am on Friday, with seven companies competing for a maximum of six concessions to be granted. Representatives from the seven bidding companies attended the opening, as did key members of the government’s tender committee.
The seven bidding companies include the six current concessionaires – Wynn Resorts (Macau) S. A., Venetian Macau S. A., Melco Resorts (Macau) S. A., MGM Grand Paradise S. A., Galaxy Casino S. A. and SJM Resorts S.A. – plus an external seventh bidder in GMM S. A., an indirect subsidiary of Genting Malaysia.
The members of the tender committee who attended the opening of the tender included Secretary for Administration and Justice, Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ao Ieong U.
Cheong said, “The tender opening started this morning and we hope to have the final results in the evening. The government will release the information in a press release.”
While it will take some months for the government to review the tender documents and determine the successful bidders, the government will announce tonight which bids have been accepted. The tender committee will then consult and negotiate with the accepted companies, after which the tender will be examined.
Cheong added, “The government does not have a timetable at the moment, but the entire bid opening will be completed by the end of this year.”
Speaking with media about her company’s chances, Wynn Macau Vice Chairman and Executive Director Linda Chen said, “I believe Wynn has many years of experience in Macau and has developed here for many years, so I have confidence in the tender.”
Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho added, “Seeing a new bidder (GMM) join the tender shows that the gaming industry has confidence in Macau’s development. Melco has invested in Macau for 15 years and has made significant investments in social responsibility and non-gaming elements, matching the Macau government’s development. We have confidence in the tender.”
