Gambling age to be raised?
15th November, 2007
The leader of the territory of Macau made the recommendation today to raise the age limit from 18 to 21 years. The industry bigwigs are now looking into how to respond to this. Young gamblers make up a hefty proportion of gamblers in Macau and this would have a big impact on the industry. It would also affect employment, where school leavers would be unable to be employed in the industry.
Those already employed would be able to take advantage of a 3 year period of grace and their jobs would remain safe.
Leong-On'kei, wife of casino tycoom Stanley Ho said "I knew the minimum age for dealers in casinos might be raised, but I didn't know the minimum age for gamblers would be raised, too."
Macau is set to overtake Vegas as casino destination of the world. The worlds largest casino opened in August, employing over 15,000 people. it cost $2.4 billion to build. Macau is the most profitable gambling centre in the world, last year revenue was $7 billion. Las Vegas was on about $6 billion.
The biggest detrimental effects seem to be on infrastructure, which struggles to cope with the influx of 200,000 people who come in from China for jobs of to gamble.
