Session Title

Session 1-3-C: The World’s Biggest Casino Market

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

28-5-2019 1:45 PM

End Date

28-5-2019 3:10 PM

Disciplines

Administrative Law | Gaming Law

Abstract

Abstract

The concept of a concession for the operation of games of chance is the legal basis of the largest casino gaming industry in the world, that of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. This concept, in its modern form, came to Macau in 1961, from Portuguese law, where it was started in 1927.

This paper has two main goals.

The first is to sumarize the evolution of concessions of games of chance in Portugal and Macau, covering the common legal and conceptual basis in both systems, highlighting the similarities and differences, especially regarding the separate evolution of concessions in both jurisdictions.

The second is a critical analysis of the current relevance of this particular legal tool in today’s gaming landscape. Are concessions still an appropriate tool to achieve a number of regulatory and economic goals?

Implications

The general conclusion to be reached is that the concept of a concession made sense in a certain time. However, today, for the most part, it presents significant issues and should be replaced. Therefore, fundamental legal reforms should take place.

Keywords: gaming law; gaming regulation; casinos; games of chance; Macau; Portugal; concessions

Keywords

gaming law, gaming regulation, casinos, games of chance, Macau, Portugal, concessions

Author Bios

Jorge Godinho is a researcher of gaming law and a visiting professor of gaming law at the University of Macau. He is a Portuguese national and permanent resident of Macau. He holds a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy and a Master degree in Law at the University of Macau. He is a law graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (1989).

Funding Sources

No funding was provided from any sources.

Competing Interests

There are no competing interests or conflicts of interest.

Comments

I look forward to the great "Bill Eadington" conference!.. Never missed one ever since I started going back in 2006. See you there!.

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May 28th, 1:45 PM May 28th, 3:10 PM

Are gaming concessions obsolete? A comparative study of Macau and Portugal

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Abstract

The concept of a concession for the operation of games of chance is the legal basis of the largest casino gaming industry in the world, that of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. This concept, in its modern form, came to Macau in 1961, from Portuguese law, where it was started in 1927.

This paper has two main goals.

The first is to sumarize the evolution of concessions of games of chance in Portugal and Macau, covering the common legal and conceptual basis in both systems, highlighting the similarities and differences, especially regarding the separate evolution of concessions in both jurisdictions.

The second is a critical analysis of the current relevance of this particular legal tool in today’s gaming landscape. Are concessions still an appropriate tool to achieve a number of regulatory and economic goals?

Implications

The general conclusion to be reached is that the concept of a concession made sense in a certain time. However, today, for the most part, it presents significant issues and should be replaced. Therefore, fundamental legal reforms should take place.

Keywords: gaming law; gaming regulation; casinos; games of chance; Macau; Portugal; concessions