Melco’s Cyprus casinos get responsible gaming accreditation
The first European casinos to achieve an international third-party responsible gaming accreditation have been announced.
Inside Asian Gaming reports that the Canada-based independent non-profit organisation, the Responsible Gambling Council, bestowed the accreditation to Melco Cyprus, operator of Cyprus Casinos and upcoming integrated resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean.
The accreditation sees Melco now recognised by RG Check in all its properties, namely Altira Macau, City of Dreams Macau, Studio City Macau, City of Dreams Manila and now Cyprus’ C2.
The most recent accreditation has been awarded to all four C2 venues – Limassol, Nicosia, Ayia Napa and Paphos.
“RGC is thrilled that Melco has once again demonstrated its commitment to responsible gaming by achieving the RG Check accreditation in Cyprus for each of its four operating Cyprus casino properties.
“Throughout this process, Melco has demonstrated its transparency as an operator and has made duty of care a priority in its operations,” said Responsible Gambling Council chief executive Shelley White.
“In particular, we commend Melco on a best-in-class score in the Standard Areas of RG Policy, Strategy and Culture, which recognises Melco’s strong responsible gaming leadership and its comprehensive and integrated approach to building a responsible gaming culture that demonstrates awareness of the potential harms caused by gambling, as well as prevention and mitigation measures.”
Melco chairman and chief executive Lawrence Ho added: “Melco is dedicated to being the industry’s leader in the promotion of Responsible Gaming.
“Providing a safe and fair gaming experience for guests continues to be at the core of the company’s commitment to society,” Ho said.
“The sustainable development and continued implementation of a Responsible Gaming culture is prioritised within every jurisdiction that we operate.
“We wish to thank the RG Check organisers for the honour and our colleagues in Cyprus for making this achievement possible.”
Melco looks on the bright side after Yokohama casino plan is canned
After the election of an anti-integrated resort mayor in Yokohama, the prefecture has bowed out of the race for one of Japan’s three new licences.
South China Morning Post reports that Lawrence Ho’s Melco Resorts and Entertainment “remains committed to exploring opportunities to develop the world’s best integrated resort in Japan.”
Takeharu Yamanaka, who was elected in August on an anti-casino platform, withdrew the city’s bid to host a casino development in early September, citing local concerns about gambling addiction and the impact on public safety.
“While we are disappointed, we are grateful for the friendships that we have formed throughout the process and express our sincere gratitude to the people and government of Yokohama,” Lawrence Ho said.
“We firmly believe in the country’s long-term potential and remain committed to exploring opportunities to develop the world’s best integrated resort in Japan.”
The so-called integrated resorts combine casinos with hotels and other facilities.
Yokohama and other localities in Japan have been moving forward with plans to formalise casino resort proposals, which the central government would then need to accept between October 2021 and April 2022.
Japan legalised casino gambling in 2016 to great excitement among industry players such as MGM Resorts International, which with its local partner, Orix, placed an initial investment of US$9.1 billion for an integrated resort project in Osaka in July 2021.
