Casino Law in Macau: From Competition to Consumer Protection?

Abstract

The introduction of competition in the casino marketplace in Macau may improve consumer welfare in the gaming sector, according to the rationale of traditional theories that justify the supremacy of free competition over monopoly in terms of promoting consumer welfare. However, the sensitive nature of casino gambling, regarding the status of consumer irrational choice, could perhaps justify a more protective legal environment from a viewpoint of consumer protection. This is particularly sensitive concerning the liberalisation of casino credit operations, for which no interest rate limit seems to be provided. Another dimension of casino consumer protection concerns the fairness of the game, so that the consumer is granted a reasonable chance to place a winning bet. On-line gaming also places a serious demand for consumer protection.