Chairman of the Tender Committee for Gaming Concession Tam Pak Yuen Monday revealed that progress had been achieved in negotiation with the three provisional concessionaires.

Mr. Tam stated that the authority was confident to sign the concession with Sociedade de Jogos de Macau within this month, while the contracts with the two concessionaires would depend on the process of the negotiation. However, he added that the authority would strive to sign the contracts in March.

The Chairman underlined that the term of concession was one of the critical issues to discuss with the concessionaires. He said there was a possibility that the date to commence operation of the three concessionaires would be different.

Meanwhile Mr. Tam disclosed that Sociedade de Jogos de Macau was allowed to commence operation with the their own existing facilities.

Mr. Tam also stated the conditions of the gaming concession should best benefit to Macao and once the new concession came into effect, the new concessionaires must strictly abide by the Law and duly perform their obligations.