With some casino companies requesting rebates or even a lower gaming tax rate, the government responded last month: Not likely.

Luis Pessanha, the legal adviser of the Legislative Assembly, told the Macau Daily Times last month that it is not the time to lower gaming taxes in Macau.

"It's natural that operators, as an interested party, want a lower tax burden. It's also true that the gaming tax burden in Macau is comparatively high. Therefore, it is reasonable that operators would defend such a measure, especially because they also are looking to Singapore as a potential market that can compete with Macau," he said.

The gaming tax in Macau is close to 40 percent when all fees are included. In Singapore, which now has two casino resorts open, the tax rate is 9 percent. In addition, those casinos don't employ the VIP operators necessary to make money in Macau, returning even more money to their bottom lines.

With record revenues being recorded in Macau, Pessanha points out that companies are doing very well, even with the high tax rate.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.