Macau clears Sands, MGM from smoking law breaches

Macau government has let Macau-based casino operators Sands China Ltd. and MGM China off the hook from alleged violations of the territory’s anti-smoking law.

In a statement released on Friday, Macau’s Health Bureau has dismissed the complaints against Sands China and MGM, saying that the two casino operators were found not guilty of breaches to the city’s anti-smoking law in two separate cases.

Though there was one gambler caught smoking in a non-smoking area, the bureau said the casino operators did not violate any laws. The gambler was, however, slapped with a hefty fine, according to the health agency.

A quick recap: In 2014, the government introduced a partial smoking ban that restricted smoking on casino main floors in the city state to airport-style enclosed smoking lounges away from gaming tables or slot machines. Smoking cigarettes in VIP rooms, meanwhile, are still allowed.