Macau may have put an end to the popular practice of offering complimentary food and beverages to anyone at casino resorts, much to the disappointment of upcoming tourists.
It is according to recent reports circulating on social media that the city’s gaming watchdog, the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau (DICJ), has instructed the six gaming concessionaires to cease the provision of free snacks and drinks at their casinos.
The government’s decision is reportedly a response to complaints lodged by local business associations, who argue that the offering of free food at casinos has impacted the businesses of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), leading to a decline in tourist spending within the local community.
Macau News Agency (MNA)
has reached out to DICJ for an official statement, but as of the publication of
this article, no response has been received.
Regarding the potential impact of providing free snacks at gaming resorts on local SMEs, Cheng Wai Tong, deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), pointed out on Wednesday that official data indicated non-gaming spending per visitor had increased these days compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Change of policy
However, according to Morgan Stanley, some casino operators have changed their policies, keeping non-gamblers away from the complimentary food counters.
“Our checks with the operators suggest that most casinos are still offering free beverages (same as pre-Covid) to all visitors,” analysts Praveen K Choudhary and Gareth Leung, CFA wrote in a recent note.
“However, they now require membership cards with at least 1 point (i.e. one has to at least gambled) to get free snacks.”
The two do not expect a significant impact on gross gaming revenue, stressing that footfall is likely to bear the brunt of the fresh policy change.
“Gamblers can still get free snacks easily,” they emphasised.
Since the relaxation of Covid restrictions, Macau has experienced a surge in visitor arrivals, with many tourists sharing tips on social media platforms on how to obtain free food offerings at local casinos and to ‘travel zero-cost’ in the city.
Earlier this year, investment broker Goldman Sachs commented that providing complimentary food was a marketing strategy employed by casinos to attract more customers.
The brokerage specifically mentioned the popularity of bubble tea and Lady M cakes on MGM’s premium mass gaming floor, which targeted a younger clientele.
Meanwhile, MNA has also contacted MGM China Holdings for comment.
