NEWS & NOTES

A Macau law that took effect January 3 made it illegal for casino workers to enter casinos in the city outside work hours. The ban includes floor workers, cashiers, cage staff, security, cleaners, and food and beverage servers and extends to 46,000 casino employees and 8,000 employees of junket operators. Those found violating this law are subject to fines of up to MOP$10,000 (US$1,250). • Canadians have been the most important international tourist group in Las Vegas for the past 10 years. In 2018, almost 1.6 million Canadians visited Las Vegas, more than any other country outside the U.S., and almost 250,000 passengers flew from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Las Vegas. • Macau’s Health Bureau gave its OK to the opening of 11 new casino smoking lounges to add to the 642 currently authorized. The Health Bureau said it has received requests for a total of 677 smoking lounges from 35 gaming venues. There are currently 45 in the city, including five stand-alone slot parlors. • Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is planning to enter the online gaming business with products based on his popular reality television show Hell’s Kitchen. Ramsay has applied for a trademark with the government’s Intellectual Property Office for computer programs for “playing casino, gambling and betting games.” Ramsay’s restaurant group owns five outlets on the Las Vegas Strip, and reports are the group plans to expand in the U.S. with 100 burger restaurants. • Shares of British gaming companies fell January 3 after an industry regulator proposed curbs on programs and incentives targeting habitual gamblers. The UK Gambling Commission said in a report that it could ban VIP accounts, which typically offer bigger rewards for frequent gamblers, and also limit deposits, while encouraging the industry to adopt a code of conduct. • Maryland expects to see sports betting legalized in the 2020 legislative session. SB 58 would make it legal for casinos and certain racetracks to operate legal sportsbook operations within the state, which could generate between $40 million and $60 million in tax revenue.