Macau appoints new regulatory chief, first woman to hold position
The government of Macau has announced the appointment of Ng Wai Han, former director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, as head of the city’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).
Ng succeeds Adriano Marques Ho, who became customs director general under incoming Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai last year.
The appointment was announced on 7 May in the government’s Official Bulletin. It completes the transition from the administration of former chief executive Ho Iat-Seng and Sam, who took the reins in mid-December.
‘Professional competence, aptitude’
Ng is the first woman appointed to head the DICJ, which oversees Macau’s multibillion-dollar gaming industry.
Her resume includes leadership roles from 1999 to 2017 at the Macau Labour Affairs Bureau. She served as deputy director of the Public Administration Bureau before assuming the directorial role in September 2023.
According to Macao News, Ng is a graduate of Sun Yat-Sen University with a master’s degree in criminal law.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Ip, who announced the appointment, said Ng’s “professional competence and aptitude” qualify her for the position. She will serve an initial one-year term.
Transitional moment for Macau gaming
Ng steps in as DICJ head at a crucial time for the world’s No 1 gaming jurisdiction.
Macau’s primary industry generated gross revenue of MOP226.8 billion ($28.1 billion) in 2024 (Las Vegas was a distant second with $15.8 billion and Singapore came in third with almost $6 billion).
But that revenue stream ran dry during the pandemic, which closed borders to the city for almost three years. Macau is now under pressure to diversify, with a “1+4” development strategy launched under Ho. Its goal is to advance four additional economic pillars – finance, technology, health and the meetings trade – anchored by a strong gaming sector.
Casino operators, two years into their 10-year concessions, are on order to contribute $16.2 billion toward non-gaming attractions in the city. With the virtual collapse of the VIP industry, they are also pivoting toward the mass and premium mass segments.
Competition waits in the wings
The market also faces the prospect of future competition throughout Southeast Asia. Japan will open its first casino, the $9 billion MGM Osaka, in 2030. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Thailand are debating the merits of an Entertainment Complex Bill that would introduce five casino resorts in that country.
CSLA analysts say a mature Thai gaming industry could generate revenue of up to $15.1 billion yearly – not in the Macau range, but enough to rival Vegas, supplant Singapore and shake up global tourism as well as gaming.