STDM signed the exclusivity gambling´s contract with Macanese Government ( under Portugal control) in 1962, March 30th. This Monopol contract was subsequently extended until 2001.
Than to increase market compotition and attractiveness of the Macau gaming industry, ends the Monopoly and the Government ( now under China control) decide to gave a maximum of 3 gaming licenses. More than 25 companies from all over the world bid the contract.
The winners were known on February 2002. The Tender Comittee promulgated the 3 companies that were granted the gaming concession:
- SOCIEDADE DE JOGOS DE MACAU ( S.J.M.)
-WYNN Resorts
-GALAXY CASINO SA
The contracts were signed for 20 years.
SJM was the company who succeeds to STDM and had the advantage to be instaled and could beggin imediatly the business ( in the beginning still using STAM premises and chips).
These three compamies gave subconcession to others:
- GALAXY to VENETIAN ( the press said at time that the price was 900 USD million)
- WYNNS to MELCO, who owns CROWN, later Altina, CITY Of DREAMS and Park Hyatt
-SJM to MGM Paradise.
Other special subconcession or associations were made by SJM, like Greek Mithology, Casa Real and Golden Dragon, where SJM, provides all the personal and equipment, including chips to run the business.
Except these special associations, the subconcessionaires have their own chips.
Now Macau have 34 casinos-
5 from GALAXY - Waldo, Rio, Grand Waldo, President, StarWorld
3 from Venetian- Sands, Venetian, Plaza at Four Seasons Hotel
1 from WYNN- Casino Wynn
3 from Melco- Altira, Taipa Square, City of Dreams
1 from MGM Grand Paradise- Casino MGM Grand
All the others 21 from SJM
Attached a scan with STDM chips- the CM roulettes were used from the beginning on 60´s