Macau Unveils Sweeping Proposal to Ban All Gambling Advertisements Amid Regulatory Overhaul

Macau authorities have introduced a major proposal to overhaul the region’s decades-old advertising regulations, aiming to implement a complete ban on all forms of gambling-related advertising.

The announcement came on July 4th, as the government launched a 30-day public consultation period running through August 2nd, inviting feedback from the public and industry stakeholders alike.

According to the consultation document, the proposed legislation would prohibit advertisements that either directly or indirectly promote gambling activities. This includes a wide range of content such as visual portrayals of gambling scenes or equipment, betting tools, displays of betting odds or techniques, or any promotional campaigns that encourage or reward gambling behavior.

Speaking at a press briefing, Yau Yun Wah, Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), stressed the need to update the outdated framework first established more than 30 years ago. “The nature of advertising, including its content, format, and dissemination channels, has changed significantly. This consultation aims to gather public and industry views to ensure the law is both relevant and enforceable,” Yau said.

Macau’s existing laws already restrict gambling advertising. Under current regulations, advertising for games of chance is generally banned, and gaming concessionaires are only permitted to promote gambling inside designated casino areas. However, the newly proposed amendments go further by explicitly identifying a wider array of promotional elements that would fall under the ban.

These include anything that may be construed as a visual or informational trigger associated with gambling, thereby broadening the interpretation of what constitutes a gambling advertisement. The proposal also aims to align Macau’s laws with modern media realities and global standards, reflecting the government’s broader goal of simplifying administrative processes while bolstering legal clarity.

To that end, the proposed amendments introduce a revised regulatory framework that will govern new advertising formats and improve administrative enforcement mechanisms. While advertisers would no longer need to seek prior approval under the updated system, they would still be required to follow a registration procedure. In cases of noncompliance, authorities would be empowered to take swift action, including the ability to obscure or remove the offending ads immediately. Penalty guidelines are expected to be finalized following further stakeholder input during the consultation period.

To facilitate meaningful feedback, the DSEDT has planned five dedicated consultation sessions. Three of these will cater specifically to industry representatives, while two will be open forums for the general public. Following this consultation phase, the bureau intends to finalize the legal drafting and submit the bill to the Legislative Assembly during the fourth quarter of the year.

The legislative push references two key pieces of Macau’s legal framework: Article 8 of Law No. 7/89/M and Article 42-A of the gaming concession law (Law No. 16/2001, republished via Chief Executive Dispatch No. 121/2022). Both existing statutes impose limitations on gambling advertisements, but the proposed revisions aim to unify and expand these provisions into a more comprehensive legal standard.

If enacted, the updated legislation would position Macau as one of the strictest jurisdictions in the region when it comes to gambling promotion. The government views the reform as a critical move in reinforcing its commitment to responsible gaming and aligning local regulations with international best practices.

By fLEXI tEAM