The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, said today (24 May) that the SAR Government was concerned about how the Gambling Amendment Bill passed in Hong Kong would affect Macao.

The bill was passed in the Hong Kong Legislative Council last Wednesday and will take effect on 31 May. According to the bill, Hong Kong residents betting offshore via telephone or the Internet would face criminal charges which could result in fines up to $ 10,000 and three to nine months in prison.

Francis Tam said that the Government was concerned about how the ban might affect the operation of Macao Jockey Club and the Macao Canidrome.

"Under the principal of One Country, Two Systems, there are ways for communication and coordination between the two SARs, and it would be redundant to set up a special arrangement concerning the issue," said Francis Tam.

The Secretary said that in the first quarter the Macao Gaming Company (Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A.) recorded a two-digit growth in turnover business. Therefore, the Government is expecting growth in the gaming tax.

Francis Tam also revealed that negotiations with the other two provisional concessionaires were going smoothly, adding that he was confident that contracts would be signed next month.