The government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has decided not to develop its proposed areas reclaimed from the sea for casino projects, said the SAR’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works Lau Si Io this week.

As the gaming hub of Asia, there are currently 31 casinos in Macao, the only place in China where gambling is legal, and a new mega casino resort is scheduled to open in June this year.

However, the SAR’s Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah has announced last year a series of measures to freeze the development of Macao’s gaming sector, which included not granting new lands for the use of casino projects.