The votes are in and the man everyone expected to be named the next chief executive of Macau, Ho Iat Seng, slid into victory. Ho will become the third leader of the city since it changed hands from Portugal to China in 1999 and is coming in at a crucial time in Macau’s development. He will have several large projects tied to the gambling industry, including the issuance of casino concessions in 2022 and Macau’s evolution from a purely gaming town to one that caters to all types of travelers.
Ho was chosen in a vote of 400 people who serve on Macau’s election committee. Most of these individuals belong to organizations that are supportive of mainland China’s government and policies, as well as business growth; the general public doesn’t participate in the voting process for a chief executive. Out of the 400, the chief executive-elect received support from 98% of them. Ho had run uncontested, more than likely due to the fact that the businessman and former General Assembly President had almost a virtual lock on the position.
Ho will take over from Fernando Chui Sai On, Macau’s current chief executive, on December 20. He will initially be in his position for one five-year term, with the possibility of reelection for a second five-year stint. The 62-year-old Macau native is a good candidate for the position, given his long heritage in the city as both a resident and politician who doesn’t have any official ties with any particular industry.
Macau has begun an initiative to expand beyond gaming. It wants to have a broader tourism industry that caters to all types of visitors, not just gamblers, and has already put a plan in motion to fulfill that objective. At the same time, though, it still plans on building up the city’s gambling industry.
Now that Macau has positioned current gambling licenses to all expire at roughly the same time in 2022, the city will have an easier time keeping gaming organized. Licenses cannot technically be reissued in 2022; new concessions have to be awarded. However, chances are very good that all current concession holders will retain their licenses. In addition, the city might even see some new players in the space.
