The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said that it was normal to see this month’s gaming revenue decline year-on-year, especially when compared with last February’s record breaking 38 billion Patacas.

He said travelling habits might also have an impact, as people tended to travel after the Lunar New Year.

Mr Leong was speaking to reporters on 10 February after attending the spring festival reception hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao Special Administrative Region.

When asked, he re-iterated that the Government paid much attention on the price of fuel, which had raised the public’s concert recently. The licensing system for imported petroleum products will come into effect on 16 February, after it was approved by the Chief Executive following meetings between government officials and fuel retailers

The system would require fuel retailers to provide more information on imported products such as invoices, supply prices and the quantities imported. This information would help give the Government a better understanding on how retail prices are decided and to evaluate the impact of price fluctuations on the people, Mr Leong said.

In the long term, the Government would introduce legislation on the protection of consumer’s rights and interests, authorising related departments to act against any irregular behaviour, he said.