Macau misplays casino dealsMuhammad Cohen

Even in extremely challenging times, Macau got seven bidders for its six casino concessions. Unfortunately, authorities didn’t use their leverage wisely to clean up a glaring conflict of interest and remove an underpeforming licensee.

Promised casino operator non-gaming investment will be most effective if targeted toward comprehensive efforts among all stakeholders to boost Macau’s destination appeal. But absent a government mandate, don’t bet on that happening.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for iGaming Business, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.