Translation
EXTRACT OF THE CONCESSION CONTRACT
FOR THE OPERATION OF GAMES OF FORTUNE AND CHANCE IN CASINOS IN THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF MACAU
CHAPTER I
Scope, type and period of concession
Clause 1
Scope of concession
One. The scope of the concession granted by this concession contract is the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos in the Special Administrative Region of Macau of the People’s Republic of China, hereinafter Macau SAR or the Grantor.
Two. The concession does not include the operation of:
1) Mutual betting;
2) Operations offered to the public, except as provided in Section 3 (7) of Law No. 16/2001 (Legal framework for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos);
3) Interactive games;
4) Games of fortune and chance, betting or operations on a ship or aircraft, except as provided in Section 5 (4) subparagraph 1) and (5) of Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 2
Scopes of the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos
When operating games of fortune or chance in casinos, the Concessionaire undertakes to comply with the following main objectives:
1) Run and operate games of fortune or chance in casinos on the premises of safeguarding national security and that of the Macau SAR;
2) Promote adequate diversification and sustainable development of the Macau SAR's economy;
3) Run and operate games of fortune or chance in casinos with fairness and honesty;
4) Operate games of fortune or chance in casinos free from criminal influence and ensure that the exploitation and operation of casinos is in line with the policies and mechanisms of the Macau SAR with regards to fighting illegal cross-border capital flows and preventing money laundering and terrorism;
5) That the size and operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, as well as the practice of games of fortune and chance, are subject to legal restrictions;
6) That the persons involved in the supervision, exploitation, management and operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos have a suitable background for the performance of these roles;
7) That the interests of the Macau SAR in the collection of taxes resulting from the operation of casinos are duly safeguarded.
Clause 3
Applicable law and jurisdiction
One. This concession contract is subject exclusively to the law of Macau SAR.
Two. The Concessionaire waives the right to litigate in any jurisdiction outside Macau SAR and recognizes the Macau SAR courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any possible disputes or conflicts of interest.
Clause 4
Observance of Macau SAR legislation
The Concessionaire undertakes to abide by the relevant legislation as applicable in the Macau SAR, waiving the right to invoke legislation from outside Macau SAR, namely for the purpose of exempting itself from complying with obligations or conducts to which it is obligated or are imposed.
Clause 5
Participation in the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos and other jurisdictions
One. The intention of the Concessionaire to operate games of fortune or chance in casinos and in other countries or regions is subject to prior authorization of the Chief Executive, having consulted the Specialized Committee for Games of Fortune and Chance.
Two. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the Concessionaire undertakes, as the case may be, to submit and provide to the Government of the Macau SAR (hereinafter the Government), or endeavor to obtain, submit or provide the Government, any documents, information or data requested for this purpose, except those deemed confidential by law.
Clause 6
Concessions regime
The concessions regime is formed by the legal framework, which comprises Law No. 7/2022 (Amendment to Law No. 16/2001 – Legal Framework for the Operation of Games of Fortune or Chance in Casinos), Law No. 16/2001, Administrative Regulation No. 26/2001 (which regulates public tendering for the awarding of concessions for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, concession contracts and the suitability and financial capacity requirements for bidders and Concessionaires), and other applicable legal provisions, as well as the current concession contract.
Clause 7
Operation of the concession
The Concessionaire undertakes to operate the concession in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and under the terms and conditions of this concession contract.
Clause 8
Concession period
One. The term of the concession awarded by this concession contract is ten years, starting on 1 January 2023 and ending on 31 December 2032.
Two. The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not exclude the application of the clauses of the current contract which extend beyond the term of the concession period.
CHAPTER II
Locations for the games of fortune or chance in casinos
Clause 9
Locations for the operation of concessions
One. The operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, by the Concessionaire, outside the casinos, as referred in clause 10, requires prior authorization of the Chief Executive.
Two. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the Concessionaire is required to submit the application under Section 5-A of Law No. 16/2001, detailing the specific logistic service areas for the operation of casinos.
Three. Casinos are obliged to be located on real estate owned by the Concessionaire, expect as provided in Section 5 (4) and Section 37 of Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 10
Authorized sites for the operation of games of fortune and chance
The Concessionaire is authorized to operate the following casinos:
1) “MGM Casino Macau”;
2) “MGM Casino Cotai”.
Clause 11
Types of games to be operated
One. The Concessionaire is authorized to operate the types of games of fortune or chance referred in Section 6 (2) of Law No. 7/2022, as well as all types of games of fortune or chance authorized by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, under Section 3 (4) of Law No. 16/2001.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit annually to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, every December, a list with the number of tables and slot machines that intends to operate during the following year, including their location
Three. The number of gaming tables and slot machines to be operated by the Concessionaire may be changed subject to prior communication to DICJ.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain and operate a minimum variety of games in its casinos, subject to instructions from DICJ.
Clause 12
Continuous operation of the casinos
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain the casinos open every day of the year, for twenty-four hours, without interruption.
Two. In exceptional cases and at the request of the Chief Executive or with his authorization, the Concessionaire may suspend the operation of a casino or adjust its operating hours - the Chief Executive shall determine when the casino will resume operations.
Three. Under the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire shall submit the request for exceptional authorization to DICJ with a ten days’ notice, with the suspension of casino operations to be posted at the entrance of the casinos.
Four. The authorization referred in paragraph two may be waived in urgent situations, namely those arising from a serious accident, catastrophe or natural calamity, which would entail serious risk to the safety of people, being however required the consent of DICJ to the suspension and resumption of the casino’s operation.
Five. For liaison with DICJ, the Concessionaire undertakes to create a special communication mechanism for emergency situations, that will operate twenty-four hours a day, ensuring that such channel is maintained with DICJ and the other Concessionaires.
Clause 13
Electronic surveillance and control equipment
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to install in the casinos electronic surveillance and control equipment of high international standard as approved by DICJ. To this end, the Concessionaire shall send a written request to DICJ identifying the equipment to be installed and enclosing the relevant technical specifications. However, DICJ may, at any time, request the submission of specimens or samples of the referred equipment to be submitted.
Two. The Concessionaire also undertakes to install electronic surveillance and control equipment, approved by DICJ, in other areas adjacent to casinos or places of access or connection to casinos, when so requested.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to install new electronic surveillance and control equipment, approved by DICJ, whenever requested to, namely to maintain the high international standard, as referred to in paragraph one.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to report to the relevant public authorities, as soon as possible, any acts or facts which constitute a crime, contravention or administrative offence of which it is aware, as well as any illegal acts or facts it may deem serious.
CHAPTER III
Concessionaire company
Clause 14
Object, head office and corporate structure
One. The Concessionaire’s corporate purpose shall include the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos.
Two. The Concessionaire's intention, during the concession period, to introduce other correlated activities into its corporate purpose is subject to prior authorization from the Secretary for the Economy and Finance.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain its head office in the Macau SAR and to be incorporated as a limited company.
Clause 15
Share capital and shares
One. The share capital of the Concessionaire shall not be less than MOP 5,000,000,000 (five billion patacas), with its net worth to be kept at not less than that amount during the term of the concession.
Two. The Chief Executive may determine an increase in the Concessionaire's share capital when supervening circumstances require so.
Three. All of the Concessionaire’s share capital shall consist of nominal shares.
Four. Any increase in the Concessionaire’s share capital through public subscription shall require authorization from the Government.
Five. The issuance of preferred shares by the Concessionaire shall require authorization from the Government.
Six. Without prejudice to the previous paragraph, the creation or issuance of types or series of shares of the Concessionaire's share capital, as well as its transfer, require Government authorization.
Seven. The Concessionaire pledges to endeavor that the entire share capital of the Concessionaire's shareholders that are companies, and the share capital of the shareholders of
these that are companies, and so on and so forth down to the final shareholders, whether these are individuals or companies, are represented exclusively by nominal shares, except for companies that are listed on stock exchanges – in relation to the shares tradable therein.
Clause 16
Transfer and encumbrance of shares
One. The transfer inter vivos or encumbrance, by any means, of the ownership or other rights over shares representing the Concessionaire's share capital, as well as the performance of any acts involving the attribution of voting rights or other corporate rights to a person other than its holder, shall require authorization from the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Two. In the case referred in the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire shall, under all circumstances, be required to refuse to register or recognize as a shareholder any entity which acquires or holds shares representing the Concessionaire’s share capital in breach of the provisions of this concession contract or the law and shall not carry out any act through which, implicitly or explicitly, it recognizes the transfer inter vivos or encumbrance referred to in the previous paragraph to have any effect.
Three. The mortis causa transfer of ownership or any other right over shares representing the Concessionaire's share capital must be reported to DICJ within 15 days of becoming aware of the fact, enclosing the respective supporting documents; the Concessionaire undertakes, at the same time, to ensure that the transfer is registered in its share register book.
Four. After securing the authorization referred in paragraph one, the holder of the ownership or other rights to the shares representing the Concessionaire’s share capital shall immediately notify the Concessionaire, who undertakes to report the same to DICJ, when transferring or encumbering them or when carrying out any act involving the granting of voting rights or other company rights to others, within 30 days of registration in the Concessionaire's share register book or equivalent formality, and must send a copy of the documents formalizing this legal transaction and provide detailed information on any terms and conditions which have been established.
Five. The Concessionaire undertakes to ensure that the transfer inter vivos, by any means, of ownership or any other right over the shareholdings of those holding shares representing the share capital of the Concessionaire's shareholders, whether these holders are individuals or companies, and the share capital of those holding shares in companies, are subject to the authorization of the Secretary for the Economy and Finance, whether these holders are individuals or companies, and so on up to the last holders of shareholdings, whether these holders are individuals or companies, when these shareholdings correspond, directly or indirectly, to a value equal to or greater than 5% of the Concessionaire's share capital, except in the case of legal persons who are listed on the stock exchange in respect of shares which may be traded on it.
Six. The mortis causa transfer of ownership or other right over the shareholdings of the holders of 5% or more of the share capital of the Concessionaire's shareholders, whether such holders are natural or legal persons, and of the share capital of holders worth 5% or more of the shareholdings of those who are legal persons, whether these holders are natural or legal persons, and so on up to the last holders of shareholdings, whether these holders are individuals or companies, must be communicated by the Concessionaire to DICJ, as soon as possible after it becomes known.
Seven. The Concessionaire also undertakes to notify DICJ, as soon as it has knowledge of the fact, of the encumbrance for any reason of shares representing the share capital of its shareholders and of shares held by holders of shares in these shareholders, and so on and so forth down to the shares of the final shareholders when these holdings indirectly correspond to a value equal to or greater than 5% of the Concessionaire’s share capital, with the exception of shares representing the share capital of companies listed on the stock exchange insofar as the shares therein are tradable.
Eight. The previous paragraph is equally applicable to the carrying out of any acts which involve the attribution of voting rights or other corporate rights to a person other than the holder, with the exception of legal entities which are listed on a stock exchange for shares which may be traded on it.
Nine. The provisions of paragraph four are applicable to the transfer, by any means, of ownership or other rights over the shares referred to in paragraph five, with the necessary amendments.
Clause 17
Notification and authorization
One. The following are considered to be decisions on major financial initiatives, referred to in Section 22 (1) (12) of Law No. 16/2001:
1) Financial decisions related to the internal movement of funds of the Concessionaire exceeding 50% of the share capital;
2) Financial decisions related to salaries, remunerations or employee benefits, among others, that exceed 10% of the share capital;
3) Financial decisions not covered by the previous two paragraphs that exceed 10% of the share capital.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to notify the Chief Executive of decisions on major financial initiatives at least five working days before they are taken, unless there is an acceptable just cause.
Three. The transfer real and credit rights of the Concessionaire exceeding MOP 100,000,000 (one hundred million patacas) shall require the authorization of the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Four. Loan agreements or similar, entered into by the Concessionaire, as borrower, of a value equal to or exceeding MOP100,000,000 (one hundred million patacas), shall require the authorization of the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Clause 18
Issuance of debt securities
The issuance of debt securities by the Concessionaire requires the Chief Executives’ authorization.
Clause 19
Listing on the stock exchange
One. The Concessionaire, or a company in which it is the controlling shareholder, may not be listed on a stock exchange.
Two. In the event shareholders who directly or indirectly hold 5% or more of the Concessionaire's share capital are listed on a stock exchange, the Concessionaire must communicate to DICJ such fact within 15 days of becoming aware of it, submitting the information and documents relating to the stock exchange listing.
Three. The Concessionaire further pledges to endeavor that the companies referred to in the previous paragraph do not request or proceed with a listing on the stock exchange without prior notification of the government.
Clause 20
Shareholder and capital structure
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit annually a document to the Government, during each December, detailing its shareholding structure, and as well the share capital structure of the companies holding 5% or more of the Concessionaire’s share capital, and also the structure of the share capital of the companies holding 5% or more of these companies’ share capital, and so on until the individuals or companies that are last shareholders, except with regard to companies that are listed on stock exchanges in what concerns the shares dealt therein, or to present a declaration attesting that these have not undergone any change.
Two. The Concessionaire further pledges to endeavor that it obtains and delivers to the Government, together with the update or declaration referred to in the previous paragraph, a declaration signed by each of its shareholders and the persons referred to in the previous paragraph, duly authenticated, certifying they are the holders of the number of shares stated and
that these are registered, accompanied by a copy of the securities incorporating the respective shares.
Clause 21
Prohibition on accumulating functions in the corporate bodies
One. It is prohibited for any person to accumulate functions in the following corporate bodies or to accumulate functions in more than one corporate body of any of the companies mentioned below, with the exception of general meetings:
1) Corporate bodies of the Concessionaires;
2) Corporate bodies of junkets;
3) Corporate bodies of management companies.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to notify DICJ, as soon as possible, of the appointment of any person to serve on the board of directors, supervisory board or other corporate body of the Concessionaire.
Three. The government undertakes to inform the Concessionaire if the person appointed to exercise functions in its corporate body is a member of the corporate body of another Concessionaire, gaming promoter or management company operating in the Macau SAR.
Four. Any acts or resolutions taken in which members of the corporate bodies are involved in violation of paragraph one of this clause are voidable.
Five. DICJ shall request the concessionaires to remove from office within a period set for that purpose, the members of corporate bodies who violate the provisions stated in paragraph one.
Clause 22
Managing Director
One. The Concessionaire's board of directors undertakes to delegate the management of the Concessionaire to a managing director.
Two. The managing director referred to in the previous paragraph must be a permanent resident of the Macau SAR and hold at least 15% of the Concessionaire’s share capital.
Three. The Concessionaires’ delegation of the management, including the appointment of a Managing Director, the scope of his/her powers, the term of appointment, as well as any change thereof, namely involving temporary or definite replacement of the Managing Director, is subject to the Chief Executive's authorization, under penalty of nullity. For this scope, the Concessionaire shall send DICJ a draft of the resolution of its board of directors containing the proposed delegation of the Concessionaire’s management, including the identification of the Managing Director, the scope of his/her powers, the term of the appointment, references concerning replacements in situations of impediment, as well as any resolution relating to the temporary or definitive replacement of the Managing Director.
Four. In the event the Government does not approve any or some of the terms of the appointment referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Concessionaire undertakes to send the Government a new draft resolution within 15 days of notification of non-acceptance and, in the event the person indicated is not accepted, a copy of Annex II to Administrative Regulation No. 26/2001 duly completed by the new Managing Director.
Five. The Concessionaire agrees not to issue any mandates or powers of attorney that, on the basis of a stable relationship, grant powers which belong to the board of directors to conduct business relating to the exercise of the company on behalf of the Concessionaire, with the exception of powers to carry out merely expedient acts, namely at public offices or services, unless authorized by the Government.
Clause 23
Sections of association and shareholder agreements
One. Any change to the Concessionaire’s articles of association and agreements between shareholders must be approved by DICJ, under penalty of nullity.
Two. Any proposal to change the Concessionaire’s articles of association must be sent to DICJ for approval at least 30 days before the date of the annual shareholders’ meeting at which the change is to be decided.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to deliver to DICJ a certified copy of the document containing any change to its articles of association within 30 days of it being voted.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to inform DICJ of any shareholder agreements of which it may be aware. To that end, and without prejudice to any other measures it may or should take, the Concessionaire undertakes to make enquiries of its shareholders, within the 15 days prior to any annual shareholders’ meeting, or during a general meeting (if not preceded by a convening notice), regarding the existence of any shareholder agreements, namely those relating to the exercise of voting rights or other corporate rights, and to inform DICJ of the results of these enquiries.
Five. DICJ undertakes to notify the Concessionaire within 60 days as to whether it approves the change to its statutes, as well as its shareholder agreements.
Clause 24
Duty of information
One. Without prejudice to any other duties of information established under the concession’s regime mentioned in Clause 6, the Concessionaire undertakes to:
1) Notify DICJ, as soon as possible, of any circumstances that may affect its normal operation, such as those related to its liquidity or solvency, the existence of any legal proceedings against it or any of its directors, shareholders holding an amount equal to or greater than 5% of its share capital and its key employees, and any act or fact practiced in its casinos and other gaming areas that constitutes a crime, misdemeanor or administrative infraction of which it is aware;
2) Notify DICJ, as soon as possible, of any and all events that may impair, impede or render excessively onerous or excessively difficult the timely and full compliance with any of the obligations arising from this concession contract or that may constitute grounds for termination of the concession, under the terms of Chapter XIX;
3) Notify DICJ, as soon as possible, about any of the following facts or occurrences:
(1) Permanent or occasional , periodic or extraordinary remunerations paid to the Concessionaire’s directors, investors and key employees, whether received as salaries, earnings, wages, fees or other, as well as any mechanisms for sharing in its profits;
(2) Existing or proposed perks, including profit distribution;
(3) Existing or proposed management and service contracts.
4) Submit to DICJ, as soon as possible, certified copies of:
(1) Contracts or other instruments documenting or describing any remuneration referred to in subparagraph 1) of the preceding paragraph;
(2) Contracts or other instruments documenting or describing any existing or proposed perks or forms of profit distribution;
(3) Existing or proposed management and service contracts.
5) Inform DICJ, as soon as possible, of any imminent or foreseeable serious change in its economic and financial situation, as well as the economic and financial situation of:
(1) Its controlling shareholders;
(2) Any entities closely associated with it, namely those which have undertaken the commitment or provided guarantee to the financing of investments and obligations which the Concessionaire has contractually undertaken to make or assume;
(3) The shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital who, in accordance with Section 18 (1) subparagraph 2) of Administrative Regulation No. 26/2001, have undertaken the commitment or provided the guarantee to finance the investments and obligations which the Concessionaire has contractually undertaken to make or assume;
6) Inform DICJ, as soon as possible, when the average annual turnover with a third party has reached an amount equal to or higher than MOP 500,000,000 (five hundred million patacas);
7) Submit to DICJ annually, during the month of January, a document showing all their bank accounts and respective balances;
8) Submit, as soon as possible, any complementary or additional information requested by DICJ;
9) Submit, as soon as possible, to DICJ and the Financial Services Bureau (hereinafter referred to as DSF), the details and information that these entities require for the proper performance of their functions.
Two. DICJ may determine that the obligations foreseen in subparagraphs 3) and 4) of the previous paragraph shall be annual.
CHAPTER IV
Management Company
Clause 25
Applicable regime
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit the contracting of a management company to the Chief Executive’s authorization and to submit the draft management contract for approval.
Two. Under any circumstances, the Concessionaire may only pay the management company the remuneration relating to the management and may not, in any way, share casino revenues or pay commissions.
Three. The provisions of Law 16/2001 and other applicable legislation shall also apply to the management company.
CHAPTER V
Appropriate qualifications
Clause 26
Good standing of the Concessionaire
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to remain trustworthy during the term of the concession, according to law.
Two. For the purposes of the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire is subject to continuous and permanent monitoring and supervision by the Government, according to law.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to bear the costs of verifying its good standing within the period set by DICJ; for this scope, DICJ shall issue a document containing such costs, which shall constitute proof thereof.
Clause 27
Suitability of the shareholders, directors and key employees of the Concessionaire and management companies
One. The Concessionaire's shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees must remain trustworthy during the Concessionaire’s term, according to law.
Two. For the scopes of the previous paragraph, shareholders of the Concessionaire holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees are subject to continuous and permanent monitoring and supervision by the government, according to law.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to ensure that shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees are trustworthy during the term of the concession, in full awareness that their trustworthiness has repercussions for its own suitability.
Four. The Concessionaire is under the obligation to demand that shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees inform DICJ, as soon as possible, after becoming aware of any facts that may be relevant to the Concessionaire's trustworthiness or their own.
Five. Under the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire undertakes to ask shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees every six months whether they are aware of any fact which might be relevant to the trustworthiness of the Concessionaire or their own, without prejudice to the Concessionaire being bound to communicate this to DICJ as soon as possible if it becomes aware of any relevant fact.
Six. The Concessionaire undertakes to communicate to DICJ, as soon as possible after becoming aware of any facts which may be relevant to the good-standing of shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and of its directors and key employees.
Seven. The Concessionaire undertakes to ensure that the management companies it contracts as well as the shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital and its directors and key employees, remain of good-standing throughout the duration of the concession, in full awareness that their good-standing has repercussions for its own suitability.
Eight. The provisions of paragraph three are applicable to the processes for verifying the good-standing of shareholders holding 5% or more of the share capital of the Concessionaire and the management companies, as well as the latter’s directors and key employees.
Clause 28
Special duty of cooperation
Without prejudice to the general duty of cooperation set out in Clause 67, the Concessionaire undertakes to provide the Government with any document, information or materials the Government considers necessary to verify its suitability.
Clause 29
Special duty of notification
The Concessionaire undertakes to notify DICJ within 15 days of becoming aware of the following situations concerning any of its directors or any of its shareholders who, directly or indirectly, hold 5% or more of its share capital:
1) The participation in the process of licensing or granting of the operation of games of fortune or chance or other casino games in other countries or regions, the operation of games of fortune or chance or other casino games in other countries or regions, or the cessation of such operations;
2) The investigation by the regulatory authority of another country or region for the purpose of punishing, suspending or influencing in any manner whatsoever the operation of games of fortune or chance or other casino games which have been authorized, or the obtaining of a license or concession for the operation of such gaming activities.
CHAPTER VI
Financial Capacity and Financing
Clause 30
Financial capacity of the Concessionaire
One. The Concessionaire shall maintain the financial capacity to operate the concession, as well as to timely and fully comply with the obligations relating to any aspect of its activity, investments and obligations that it is contractually bound to provide or has undertaken under this concession contract, in particular the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract.
Two. For the purposes of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Concessionaire and the shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital shall be subject to continuous and permanent monitoring and supervision by the Government, according to the law.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to bear the costs of the procedures for verifying its financial standing and that of the shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital within the period set by DICJ; for this purpose, DICJ shall issue a document quoting such costs, which shall constitute sufficient proof thereof.
Clause 31
Loans and similar contracts
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to notify the Government of any loan or similar contract with a third-party worth more than MOP 60,000,000 (sixty million patacas); if the value exceeds MOP 100,000,000 (one hundred million patacas), it must be authorized by the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to not grant any loans or enter into any similar contracts with its directors, shareholders or key employees, unless authorized by the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to not enter into legal transactions with any entity through which the latter may assume management or intervention powers in the management of the Concessionaire, namely through step-in rights.
Clause 32
Undertaking risks
One. The Concessionaire expressly undertakes all obligations and full and exclusive responsibility for all risks inherent in the concession with respect to its financial capacity and its financing, without prejudice of Clause 42.
Two. The Macau SAR is not subject to any obligation, nor assumes any responsibility or risk, regarding the financing of the Concessionaire.
Clause 33
Securing of financing
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to secure the financing required to timely and fully comply with its obligations relating to any of its activity, investments and obligations it is contractually bound to make or has assumed under the terms of this concession contract, in particular the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract.
Two. No exceptions or means of defense can be used against Macau SAR, resulting from contractual relations established by the Concessionaire with third-parties, including financing entities and shareholders of the Concessionaire itself, with a view to obtaining the financing referred to in the previous paragraph.
Clause 34
Reserve funds
The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain the reserve funds required by law.
Clause 35
Special duty of cooperation
One. Without prejudice to the general duty of cooperation provided for in Clause 70, the Concessionaire undertakes to immediately make available to the Government any document, information or data which the Government considers necessary to verify that it continues to have adequate financial capacity.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to notify the Government, as soon as possible, of any loans, mortgages, declarations of debt, guarantees, or any other obligations contracted or to be contracted to finance any aspect of its activity, with a value equal to or greater than MOP 16,000,000 (sixteen million patacas).
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit to the Government, as soon as possible, certified copies of documents relating to any loans, mortgages, debt statements, guarantees, or any other obligation contracted or to be contracted for the financing of any aspect of its activity.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to obtain and submit to the Government a statement signed by each of its controlling shareholders, including the last controlling shareholder, pursuant to which they agree to be bound by this special duty of cooperation and undertake to produce any documents and provide any information, data, authorizations, or evidence requested of them for this purpose.
CHAPTER VII
Investment Plans
Clause 36
Investment Plans
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to implement the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, as well as the investment projects included in the award proposal submitted by the Concessionaire as a bidder in the public tender for the award of concession for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, under the terms stated in the aforementioned Plans and award proposal.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to:
1) Use qualified labor in all projects;
2) Give preference, when contracting companies and workers for the execution of the projects mentioned in the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, to those who carry out permanent activities in or are residents of the Macau SAR;
3) Comply, when drawing up the plans for the works related to the projects included in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract, with the technical norms and regulations in force in the Macau SAR, as well as the specifications and homologation documents from official bodies and the instructions from manufacturers or patent holders;
4) Attach the construction projects referred to in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract for the approval of the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (hereinafter referred to by its Portuguese acronym DSSCU) with a plan of works in addition to the other documents required by the applicable legislation;
5) Execute the works in strict compliance with the approved projects in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force and in compliance with internationally recognized standards in construction work and supplies of the same type, as well as according to best trade practices;
6) Use, in the execution of the projects referred to in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract, materials, systems, and equipment certified and approved by recognized entities and in accordance with international standards, generally recognized as being of high international quality;
7) Maintain the quality of all projects referred to in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract according to high international quality standards;
8) Ensure the high international quality standards of the commercial establishments within its properties;
9) Maintain a modern, efficient, and high-quality management, according to high international quality standards;
10) Notify the Government, as soon as possible, of any and every situation that alters or may alter to a relevant degree, either in the construction phase of its properties or in the operational phase of any aspect of its activity, the normal development of the works, as well as the verification of structural or other anomalies in its properties, by means of a detailed and reasoned report on these situations, possibly including the contribution of entities external to the Concessionaire and of recognized competence and reputation, with an indication of the measures taken or to be implemented to overcome said situations.
Three. The Concessionaire is liable to the Macau SAR and to third parties for any losses resulting from serious deficiencies, errors or omissions in the design and dimensioning of projects, in the execution of construction works and other projects, as well as in the maintenance of buildings and in the operation of the projects underlying the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, of its responsibility.
Four. The Government undertakes to facilitate the Concessionaire’s ability to execute, directly or indirectly, according to the law, the projects mentioned in the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract.
Clause 37
Changes to the projects listed in the Investment Plans
One. In the execution of the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, the Government may require any documents or impose changes regarding the execution of the listed projects to ensure compliance with the standards, technical regulations in force and the level of the quality standards.
Two. The Government may not impose any changes to the referred projects that imply an increase in the overall amount referred in Clause 41.
Clause 38
Execution and supervision of the Investment Plans
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit to the Government, by 30 September of each year, a proposal for the implementation of the specific projects referred to in the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract which it intends to execute in the following year, which shall include, at least, the details of the specific investment project it intends to execute in the following year, the amount of the investment, and the deadline for its execution – for the purposes of approval by the Government.
Two. The Government shall decide on the approval of the proposal in question within sixty days from the day following the end of the period referred to in the previous paragraph. To that end, the content of the specific investment project, the amount of the investment, and the period for execution may be adjusted according to the needs of socio-economic development and by agreement between the Government and the Concessionaire.
Three. In the event of force majeure or special circumstances not attributable to the Concessionaire, the latter may request the Government to amend the content of the proposal for the execution of specific projects approved and for this purpose must present a detailed report on the respective situation, accompanied by all supporting documents.
Four. In the event of force majeure or special circumstances not attributable to the Concessionaire, the latter may request the Government to partially or totally suspend the execution of the items contained in the proposal for the execution of specific projects referenced in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract, submitting for that effect a detailed report on the respective situation, accompanied by all supporting documents.
Five. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit to the Government, no later than 31 March of each year, a report on the implementation in the previous year of the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract and the proposal for the implementation of specific projects approved, which shall include, at least, the status of the implementation of the specific investment projects, the amount invested, the deadline, and the results of their implementation. It shall also submit other complementary information as requested by the Government.
Six. In the event that the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract and the specific investment projects included in the approved proposal for the execution of specific projects are not authorized, because they are not in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and urban planning or due to other public interest, the Concessionaire further undertakes to allocate the funds initially earmarked for the aforementioned investment projects to projects related to its activity, as indicated and accepted by the Government.
Seven. For the purposes of monitoring the execution of the Investment Plans by the Concessionaire, the latter undertakes to cooperate with the Government and shall submit the necessary documents, information, or evidence when requested.
Clause 39
Supervision of construction work
One. Through DSSCU, the Government shall monitor and supervise the execution of the construction work, namely its compliance with the plan of works and the quality of the materials, systems and equipment according to the applicable legislation as per the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract.
Two. For the purposes of paragraph one above, the Concessionaire undertakes to submit, every two months, detailed written reports on the evolution of the construction projects referred to in the Investment Plans attached to the present concession contract, for which it shall refer to the provisions of Section 38 of Administrative Regulation No. 38/2022 (Regulation of the legal framework for urban construction). These reports shall include at least:
1) Work reports indicated in Section 38 of Administrative Regulation No. 38/2022;
2) The evolution of the work relative to the plan of works (progress control);
3) The main measures taken to ensure compliance with the plan of works.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to submit written and detailed extraordinary reports, whenever justified, namely when the normal progress of the work related to the execution of the construction projects referenced in the Investment Plans annexed to the present concession contract is compromised.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to provide, at the Government’s request and within a set period, any documents, namely written and drawn documents, relating to the construction projects referred to in the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract.
Five. In addition to the documents referred to in the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire undertakes to provide all clarifications and information requested.
Six. When in doubt about the quality of the work, the Government can order compulsory tests in addition to those foreseen by the Concessionaire, consulting the latter, if necessary, regarding the decision to be adopted.
Seven. The expenses incurred in carrying out the tests referred to in the previous paragraph and in repairing any defects found shall be borne by the Concessionaire.
Eight. Orders, notices, and notifications related to the technical aspects of the execution of a construction project may be addressed by the Government, namely through the DSSCU, to the project manager directly.
Nine. The project manager shall monitor the work diligently and be present at the site of the work whenever required.
Ten. The Government, namely through DSSCU, may suspend and halt, under the terms of the law, the execution of construction work whenever nonconformity with the approved projects or violation of the applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual norms or provisions is detected.
Eleven. The powers to supervise the fulfilment of the obligations resulting from this concession contract do not involve any liability on the Macau SAR for the execution of the construction
work, the Concessionaire being solely responsible for all imperfections or faults in the design, execution, or operation of the referred work, except that resulting from decisions taken by the Government.
Clause 40
Contracting and subcontracting
The execution of the Investment Plans that involves hiring and subcontracting third parties does not exempt the Concessionaire from the legal or contractual obligations to which it is bound.
Clause 41
Application of the remaining funds of the Investment Plans
If, upon completion of the execution of the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, the total value of the expenditure incurred by the Concessionaire, directly or, subject to Government authorization, indirectly, is less than the overall amount and value committed to at the time of activation of the constant investment increase mechanism in the award proposal submitted by the Concessionaire as a bidder in the public tender for the award of concessions for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, the Concessionaire undertakes to spend the remaining amount on projects related to its activity, to be designated by the Concessionaire and accepted by the Government, or on projects of relevant public interest for the Macau SAR, to be designated by the Government.
Clause 42
Insurance
One. The Concessionaire is obligated to contract and maintain up-to-date insurance contracts necessary to guarantee effective and complete coverage for the risks inherent in the development of the activities included in the concession. Such insurance must be taken out with insurers authorized to operate in the Macau SAR or, when this proves to be unfeasible or too onerous for the Concessionaire, with insurers abroad with the authorization of the Government.
Two. The Concessionaire shall ensure the existence and continued validity of the following insurance contracts:
1) Workplace accident and occupational illness insurance for its employees;
2) Motor vehicle liability insurance for the vehicles it owns;
3) Civil liability insurance for ships, aircraft, or other aircraft owned or leased by the company ;
4) Civil liability insurance for installation of advertising materials;
5) General civil liability insurance related to the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos in the Macau SAR, as well as the development of other activities included in the concession, which are not guaranteed by any other insurance policy;
6) Insurance against damages to buildings, furniture, equipment, and other property related to the activities within the concession;
7) Construction insurance (all risks, including civil liability) relative to the execution of any work by or in buildings connected to the activities included in the concession.
Three. The insurance coverage referred to in subparagraph 6) of the previous paragraph is of the multi-risk type covering, at least, the following:
1) Fire, lightning, or explosion (whatever its nature);
2) Bursting of pipes, spillage, or overflowing of tanks, boilers, pipes, cisterns, lavatories, or water transport apparatus;
3) Floods, typhoons, tropical storms, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, or other natural disasters;
4) Crashes by aircraft or other aerial devices or objects dropped or thrown from them;
5) Vehicle collision;
6) Theft or robbery;
7) Strikes, assaults, riots, alterations in public order, or other facts of a similar nature.
Four. The capital or minimum limit for the insurances referred to in paragraph 2 is as follows:
1) In accordance with the legislation in force for the insurance provided for in subparagraphs 1) to 4);
2) The amount to be set by the Government for the insurance set out in subparagraph 5), taking into account, among other parameters, the business volume of the activities included in the concession and the accident index for the previous year;
3) Equal to the net value of the goods referred to for the insurance mentioned in paragraph 6), being the net value understood as the gross value minus accumulated depreciation;
4) The value of the construction work for the insurance set out in subparagraph 7).
Five. The Concessionaire undertakes to ensure that the entities with whom it enters into a contractual agreement shall cover labor accidents and occupational diseases.
Six. The Concessionaire must prove to the Government that the insurance policies exist and are valid by sending the Government a copy of said policies when they are first signed or renewed.
Seven. The Concessionaire undertakes not to begin any construction projects or work without first sending the Government the copies referred to in the previous paragraph.
Eight. Unless authorized by the Government, the Concessionaire may not cancel, suspend, modify, or replace any insurance policies except when there is a change in the insurance company, in which case the Concessionaire must inform the Government of this fact as soon as possible.
Nine. The Government may, on behalf of the Concessionaire, make direct payment of insurance premiums when the Concessionaire has failed to do so, by resorting to the bond provided by the Concessionaire’s to secure compliance with legal or contractual obligations.
CHAPTER VIII
Property
Clause 43
Macau SAR Property
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to ensure the conservation or replacement, as instructed by DICJ, of the Macau SAR assets which have been or will be used in connection with the operation of the concession through the temporary transfer of its usufruct, fruition, and use.
Two. The Concessionaire shall ensure the conservation of the land, soil, or natural resources for whose management the Government is responsible, under the terms of Section 7 of the Macau SAR Basic Law, that were or will be allocated to the concession operation, either by lease or concession.
Clause 44
Other property
One. Casinos shall be required to be located on property owned by the Concessionaire, except as prescribed in Section 5 of Law No. 7/2022 and Section 5 (4) and Section 37 of Law 16/2001.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes not to encumber casinos, equipment and utensils allocated to the games, unless authorized by the Government.
Three. Notwithstanding the approval referred in the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire undertakes that upon expiry of the concession, the casinos, as well as the equipment and utensils allocated to the casinos, even if outside their premises, are free of any onus or encumbrance.
Four. When the opening of new casinos is authorized, the Concessionaire is obliged to locate these casinos in buildings or complex of buildings, even if they constitute an economic and functional unit, under the strata title , in such a way that they are operated in one or more autonomous units, whose areas shall be perfectly identified and delimited.
Five. For the scopes of the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire shall submit to the government, as soon as possible, a certificate from the Property Registry describing all its autonomous units, including the by-laws of such buildings, accompanied by a floor plan where the respective areas are defined and delimited.
Six. The Concessionaire is required to proceed with the registration of any alteration to the autonomous units ownership and send to the Government, through DSF, the respective land registry certificate as soon as possible.
Seven. The Concessionaire shall also be required to submit the condominium regulations relating to horizontal property to the Government for approval.
Clause 45
Reversion of the casinos and gaming equipment and utensils
One. Upon termination or extinction of the concession, the casinos, as well as the gaming equipment and utensils allocated, even if located outside their premises, will revert gratuitously and automatically to the Macau SAR, with the exception of the casinos, equipment and utensils allocated to games whose use and fruition have been temporarily transferred to the Concessionaire under the terms of Clause 49.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to deliver the properties referred to in the previous paragraph in a perfect state of repair and operation, without prejudice to their normal wear and tear due to their use for the purposes of this concession contract.
Three. For registration purposes, during reversion of the assets and rights referred to in paragraph one above, the record drawn up by public deed will serve as the transfer title, even if the concession of the land where the casinos are located is provisional.
Four. In the event the Concessionaire fails to hand over the properties mentioned in paragraph one above, the Government shall immediately take administrative possession of them, and the
respective expenses shall be covered by the bond provided for compliance with the Concessionaire's legal or contractual obligations.
Five. For the purposes of paragraph one above, DICJ shall carry out an inspection of the properties referred to in Clauses 43 and 44, which may be attended by the representatives of the Concessionaire, to check the state of conservation and maintenance of said properties, for which an inspection report will be drawn up.
Six. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Concessionaire, the respective properties may not be divided until the Government certifies, through the compulsory inventory mentioned in the following clause, that the properties subject to reversion are in a perfect state of conservation and operation or without the payment of any sums due to the Macau SAR as compensation, by means of any guarantee accepted by the Government, that are shown to be owing.
Seven. The terms of paragraph two above shall not affect the normal renovation of the allocated gaming equipment and utensils.
Clause 46
Inventory of the assets allocated to the concession
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to prepare in triplicate and maintain updated the inventory of all properties and rights belonging to the Macau SAR and allocated to the concession, as well as all properties revertible to the Macau SAR, submitting for that effect, by 31 May of each year, an annual update of the maps showing all alterations to DICJ and DSF.
Two. In the last year of the concession, the aforementioned inventory shall be completed, necessarily, 90 days before its term.
Three. In cases where the concession is terminated, the inventory mentioned in paragraph one of this clause shall be completed on a date to be stipulated by the Government.
Clause 47
Improvements
The improvements that, for any reason, are made to the properties referred to in Clause 43, as well as to properties that are revertible to the Grantor, do not entitle the Concessionaire to any compensation or indemnity and do not need to be removed.
Clause 48
Concession of land to be used by the Concessionaire
One. The regime governing the concession of land to be used by the Concessionaire, namely for the concession operation, is stipulated in the respective land concession contract.
Two. The land concession contract to be executed between the Government and the Concessionaire shall be governed by the provisions of this concession contract, where applicable.
Clause 49
Assets necessary for the operation of the concession
One. The Parties shall comply with the provisions of Sections 37 to 39 of Law No. 16/2001, whereby the Government, through the deed of surrender, temporarily transfers to the Concessionaire the following casinos that will revert to the Macau SAR on 31 December 2022, as well as the usufruct, fruition and use of gaming equipment and utensils, listed in the inventory accompanying the deed of surrender, for the purpose of operating games of fortune or chance in a casino, whose concession is granted to the Concessionaire under this contract:
1) “MGM Casino Macau”;
2) “MGM Casino Cotai”.
Two. The temporary transfer of usufruct, fruition, and use to the aforementioned Concessionaire shall expire when the Concessionaire's concession for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos is rescinded or extinguished, and the Concessionaire is required to return to the Macau SAR, free of any liens or encumbrances, the casinos, as well as the equipment and utensils allocated to the games, included in the inventory approved by DICJ.
Three. The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not prejudice the possibility that the Government may require the Concessionaire to demolish, within a stipulated period of time, the conservation works and improvements referred to in the preceding paragraph, or to restore the casinos to their original condition, with all resulting expenses being borne by the Concessionaire.
Four. In the event that the Concessionaire fails to comply with the stipulations of the previous paragraph, the Government shall carry out the demolition and all expenses arising from the demolition and respective actions shall be borne by the Concessionaire, who will not have the right to any compensation or indemnity from the Government for the conservation works and improvements demolished.
Five. The Concessionaire may alter, in accordance with specific needs, the purpose of the functional zones of the casinos referred to in paragraph one above, provided that prior authorization for that purpose has been obtained from the Government.
Six. The Concessionaire undertakes to pay for the usufruct, fruition, and use of the casinos, equipment and utensils allocated to the games referred in paragraph one, in accordance with the amount agreed between the parties under the terms of Section 39 of Law No. 16/2001.
Seven. The Concessionaire may recover proportionally the amount paid when the termination or extinction of the concession for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos occurs before the end of the corresponding calendar year.
Eight. The Concessionaire shall assume all civil liability or other liability resulting from the temporary usufruct, fruition, and use of the casinos equipment and utensils allocated to the games referred to in paragraph one and the Macau SAR shall not assume any liability.
Nine. The Concessionaire may, without the need for authorization from the Government, carry out maintenance, repairs, and improvements to the casinos, equipment and utensils allocated to the games referred to in paragraph one, with the respective costs being borne by the Concessionaire itself, without any right to compensation from the Government.
Ten. When the equipment and utensils allocated to the games referred to in paragraph one are useless or unfit for use, they shall be put out of use or destroyed by the Concessionaire, subject to the authorization of DICJ, without any right to compensation from the Government.
CHAPTER IX
Premium
Clause 50
Premium
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to pay an annual premium to the Macau SAR while the concession is in force, as consideration for the operation of the games of fortune or chance in a casino.
Two. The amount of the annual premium payable by the Concessionaire comprises fixed and variable elements.
Three. According to Chief Executive Order No. 215/2001, the fixed amount of the annual premium payable by the Concessionaire is MOP 30,000,000 (thirty million patacas) per year.
Four. The amount of the variable part of the annual premium payable by the Concessionaire shall be calculated according to the number of gaming tables and gaming machines operated by the Concessionaire.
Five. For the scopes of the provisions of the previous paragraph:
1) The Concessionaire shall pay MOP 300,000 (three hundred thousand patacas) per year for each table reserved for certain games and gamblers, namely those operated in a special room or area;
2) The Concessionaire shall pay MOP 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand patacas) per year for each table not reserved for certain games and gamblers;
3) The Concessionaire shall pay MOP 1,000 (one thousand patacas) per year for each electrical or mechanical gambling machine, including slot machines.
Six. Regardless of the number of gaming tables that the Concessionaire operates at any given time, the amount relating to the variable part of the annual premium may not be less than the amount that would result from the operation of 500 (five hundred) gaming tables and 1,000 (one thousand) gaming machines.
Seven. The Concessionaire undertakes to pay the amount relative to the fixed part of the annual premium by 10 January of the respective year, and the Government may stipulate that the payment is made in monthly installments.
Eight. The Concessionaire undertakes to pay monthly, until the tenth day of the following month, the amount relative to the variable part of the annual premium concerning the tables and electric or mechanical gambling machines, including slot machines, operated during the previous month.
Nine. For calculating the amount of the variable part of the annual premium referred to in the previous paragraph, the number of days that each gaming table and each gaming machine was operated by the Concessionaire during the month in question is taken into consideration.
Ten. The payment of the annual premium is settled by the respective payment slip at DSF.
Eleven. In the case foreseen in Section 20 (4) of Law No. 16/2001, the Concessionaire is obliged to pay the special premium in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 4 to 8 of the same Section, applying the provisions of paragraph 7 and the previous paragraph with the necessary adaptations.
CHAPTER X
Contributions under Section 22 (1) subparagraphs 2) and 3) of Law No. 16/2001
Clause 51
Contributions under Section 22 (1) subparagraph 2) of Law No. 16/2001
One. By law, the Concessionaire shall pay the Macau SAR the contribution foreseen in Section 22 (1) subparagraph 2) of Law No. 16/2001.
Two. The contribution referred to in the previous paragraph must be paid monthly by the Concessionaire by the tenth day of the following month to which it relates, by submission of the respective payment slip at DSF.
Three. The contribution referred to in paragraph one shall be the subject of a separate budget entry by the Macau SAR.
Clause 52
Contributions under Section 22 (1) subparagraph 3) of Law No. 16/2001
One. By law, the Concessionaire shall pay the Macau SAR the contribution foreseen in Section 22 (1) subparagraph 3) of Law No. 16/2001.
Two. The contribution referred to in the previous paragraph must be paid monthly by the Concessionaire by the tenth day of the following month to which it relates, by submission of the respective payment slip at DSF.
Three. The contribution referred to in paragraph one shall be the subject of a separate budget entry by the Macau SAR.
Four. The government may indicate one or more projects or one or more entities as beneficiaries of part of the amounts paid.
Five. The Government and the Concessionaire may agree on one or more projects or on one or more entities to which allocate funds to, with the maximum limit of this total allocation being set at half the value calculated under the terms of paragraph one. The Concessionaire may pay them directly, in which case the amount of the contribution referred to in paragraph one, to be paid at DSF, will be reduced correspondingly.
CHAPTER XI
Tax obligations and the submission of documents
Clause 53
Special tax on gambling
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to pay the Macau SAR the legally stipulated special tax on gambling, which shall be paid monthly to the government by the tenth day of the following month to which it relates.
Two. The special tax on gambling may be paid in patacas or in a currency accepted by the Government.
Three. If the special tax on gambling is paid in patacas, it shall be made directly at the DSF.
Four. If the special tax on gaming is paid in a currency accepted by the Government, it shall be made by delivering the respective currency to the Monetary Authority of Macau, which shall make the corresponding amount available in patacas to DSF.
Clause 54
Withholding taxes
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to withhold, on a definitive basis, the legally required tax on commissions paid to junkets, remitting the respective amounts monthly to DSF by the tenth day of the following month.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to withhold, on definitive basis, the legally stipulated professional tax with regard to its employees, remitting the respective amounts monthly to DSF, under the legal rules.
Clause 55
Payment of other taxes, contributions, fees or, emoluments due
The Concessionaire undertakes to pay other taxes, contributions, duties, or emoluments due and stipulated in the legislation of the Macau SAR and from which payment is not exempted.
Clause 56
Document proving the inexistence of debts owing to the Macau SAR
One. The Concessionaire is obligated to deliver to DICJ, by 31st of March each year, a certificate issued by DSF regarding the previous fiscal year proving that the Concessionaire is not in debt to the Macau SAR for contributions and taxes, fines or surcharges, including compensatory and default interest and 3% of debts.
Two. The Concessionaire is also obliged to deliver to DICJ, by 31st of March each year, a document containing the tax status for the previous tax year, of its managing director, members of its corporate bodies, key employees and shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital.
Clause 57
Document proving the inexistence of debts to the Social Security of the Macau SAR
The Concessionaire is obliged to deliver to DICJ, by 31st of March each year, a document issued by the Social Security Fund proving the Concessionaire has in order its contributions to the Social Security of the Macau SAR .
Clause 58
Provision of information
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to send quarterly to the Government, by the last day of the month following the relevant quarter , its balance sheet for the previous quarter, with the exception of that relative to the last quarter of each year, which must be submitted by the last day of February of the following year.
Two. The Concessionaire also undertakes to send to the Government the following data at least 30 days prior to the annual general meeting for approval of its accounts:
1) The accounting and statistical statements for the previous financial year;
2) The full names, in all possible versions, of the persons who sat on the management and supervisory boards during the respective fiscal year, the appointed proxies, as well as the person in charge of the accounting department;
3) A copy of the report and accounts of the board of directors accompanied by the opinions of the supervisory board and the external qualified accountants.
Clause 59
Accounting and internal Audit
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to have its own well-managed accounting system with appropriate internal control procedures and to comply with the guidelines issued by the Government in this regard, namely through DICJ or DFS.
Two. In compiling and presenting its accounts, the Concessionaire shall adopt only the criteria of the Financial Reporting Standards in force at the Macau Special Administrative Region, without prejudice to the fact that the Chief Executive, upon the proposal of the directors of either DICJ or DSF, may impose the need for certain ledgers, documents or other accounting data, as well determine the criteria to be adopted by the Concessionaire in the accounting of its operations and the observance of special norms in its compilation and presentation.
Clause 60
External audit of annual accounts
The Concessionaire undertakes to have its accounts annually audited by an external independent entity of recognized high international standards previously accepted by DICJ and DSF, providing in advance all the documents necessary, namely those referred to in Section 34 of the Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 61
Extraordinary audits
The Concessionaire agrees, at any time, with or without prior notice, to be audited by an independent external entity of recognized international standards, or by another entity, whenever DICJ or DSF deem it necessary or convenient.
Clause 62
Compulsory publications
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to publish, by 30 April every year, the following elements pertaining to the previous year ending 31 December in the Official Gazette of the Macau Special Administrative Region and in two of the most widely read newspapers in the Macau SAR, one in Chinese and one in Portuguese:
1) The balance, profit and loss account and annex;
2) The summary of activity report;
3) The opinion of the statutory audit board;
4) The summary of the external auditor’s opinion;
5) The list of shareholders with 5% or more of its share capital in any period of the year, stating the respective percentage; and
6) The names of the members of its governing bodies.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to send the Government a copy of all the elements referred to in the previous paragraph, as well as other elements for publication required by the concessions regime referred to in clause 6, at least 10 days prior to the publication date .
Clause 63
Special duty of cooperation
Without prejudice to the general duty of cooperation set out in Clause 70, the Concessionaire undertakes to cooperate with the Government, namely with DICJ and DSF, in providing the elements and information that may be requested and the analysis or inspection of its accounts, in the performance of extraordinary audits, and generally, in respect to the duties specified in the concessions regime referred to in Clause 6.
CHAPTER XII
Guarantees
Clause 64
Surety as a guarantee of compliance with the Concessionaire's legal or contractual obligations
One. The collateral that guarantees compliance with the Concessionaire's legal or contractual obligations may be provided in any of the legally prescribed forms, provided it is accepted by the Government.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain an autonomous first demand bank guarantee in favor of the Government, issued by a credit institution authorized to operate in the Macau SAR, to guarantee:
1) The exact and punctual compliance of the legal or contractual obligations to which the Concessionaire is bound;
2) The exact and punctual payment of the premium to which the Concessionaire is bound before the Macau SAR, as set out in Clause 50;
3) The payment of fines or other pecuniary penalties that may be applied to the Concessionaire by virtue of a legal provision or clause contained in this concession contract;
4) The payment of any compensation arising from contractual liability for consequential damages and loss of profit resulting from total or partial non-compliance with the obligations to which the Concessionaire is bound under this concession contract;
5) Exact and punctual compliance with the labor obligations to which the Concessionaire is bound.
Three. The value of the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in the previous paragraph is MOP 1,000,000,000 (one billion patacas) from 1 January 2023 until 180 days have elapsed from the termination of this concession contract or the termination of the concession.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to take all measures and to comply with all obligations that may be necessary to maintain in force the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two.
Five. The Government may call on the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two, irrespective of a prior judicial decision, whenever the Concessionaire fails to comply with any of the legal or contractual obligations to which it is bound, the exact and punctual premiums to which it is bound, or fails to pay or contest, within the legal time limit, the fines or other penalties imposed by virtue of a legal provision or clause contained in this concession contract; the Government may also resort to the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two when any compensation is due arising from contractual liability for damages and loss of profit resulting from total or partial non-compliance with the obligations to which the Concessionaire is bound under this concession contract, or when the Concessionaire fails to comply with the labor obligations to which it is bound, as stipulated.
Six. Whenever the government uses the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two, the Concessionaire is required to take, within fifteen days from the date it is notified of the use of the guarantee, all necessary steps to restore the total value of the guarantee.
Seven. The autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two may only be cancelled with the authorization of the Government.
Eight. The Government may authorize the alteration of the terms or conditions referred to in paragraphs three to six, as well as authorize the substitution of the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two by another form legally admissible to provide a surety as a guarantee of compliance with the legal or contractual obligations of the Concessionaire.
Nine. The costs arising from the issuance, maintenance and cancellation of the collateral as a guarantee of the Concessionaire's compliance with legal or contractual obligations shall be borne entirely by the Concessionaire.
Ten. The autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph two includes the guarantees provided for in Section 20(3) and Section 22(1) 6) of Law No. 16/2001 and in Section 84(1) and (2) of Administrative Regulation No. 26/2001.
Clause 65
Specific bank guarantee to secure the payment of the special tax on gambling
One. Pursuant to Section 27 (5) of Law No. 16/2001, the Concessionaire undertakes to present, when so required by the Government, an autonomous bank guarantee, on first demand, issued in favor of the Government and intended to guarantee payment, if there is justifiable fear that the Concessionaire will not pay the probable monthly amounts of the special tax on gaming within the period and under the terms, conditions, and in the amount to be set by the Government.
Two. The terms and conditions of the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in the previous paragraph may not be altered without the authorization of the Government and the Concessionaire undertakes to comply with all the obligations that result or may result from maintaining in force the same guarantee, under the exact terms in which it was provided.
Three. The Government may use the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph one, independently of a prior Court decision, whenever the Concessionaire fails to pay the special tax on gambling due to Macau SAR under the terms of the law and this concession contract.
Four. Whenever the Government makes use of the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph one, the Concessionaire undertakes to take all necessary steps to restore the total amount of the guarantee within 15 days of being notified of its use.
Five. The autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph one may only be cancelled, under authorization from the Government, 180 days after the end of the concession contract or the termination of the concession.
Six. The costs arising from the issuance, maintenance and cancellation of the autonomous bank guarantee referred to in paragraph one shall be borne entirely by the Concessionaire.
Clause 66
Guarantee provided by a controlling shareholder or shareholders of the Concessionaire
One. The Government may require that the Concessionaire's controlling shareholder provide a guarantee to secure compliance with the commitments and obligations assumed by the Concessionaire; if the Concessionaire does not have a controlling shareholder, the Secretary for Economy and Finance may require that the aforementioned guarantee to be provided by shareholders holding 5% or more of the Concessionaire's share capital.
Two. The guarantee referred to in the previous paragraph may be required when there is a justified fear that the Concessionaire will not be able to meet the legal and contractual obligations to which it is bound.
Three. The guarantee referred to in paragraph one may be provided by a cash deposit, bank guarantee, bond insurance, or any of the forms provided for in Section 619 of the Civil Code, within the period and under the terms, conditions and value to be defined by order of the Chief Executive.
Four. The Government may use this guarantee provided under this clause, regardless of a prior court decision, whenever the Concessionaire fails to comply with its commitments and obligations under the terms of the law and this concession contract.
Five. Whenever the Government makes use of the guarantee provided under this clause, the Concessionaire shall pledges to endeavor that its controlling shareholder or shareholders take all necessary measures to restore the total amount of the guarantee within 15 days of the date on which it is notified of the order regarding the use of said guarantee.
Six. The terms and conditions of the guarantee provided under this clause may not be altered without the authorization of the Government.
CHAPTER XIII
Supervision of compliance with the Concessionaire's obligations
Clause 67
Oversight, supervision and control by the Government
One. The power to supervise, oversee and monitor compliance with the Concessionaire's obligations is exercised by the Government, namely through DICJ and DSF.
Two. For the due purposes, the Concessionaire undertakes, whenever requested to do so by the Government and without the need for prior notice, to give the Government, or any other entity appointed by it duly authorized for this purpose and identified, free access to any part of its premises, as well as free access to inspect the accounting or bookkeeping, including any transactions, books, minutes, accounts, and other records or documents, the statistics and management records used, and to provide the Government, or the body appointed by it, with any information they deem necessary.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to obey and comply with the determinations of the Government issued within the scope of its powers of oversight and supervision, namely the instructions from DICJ, including those relating to the possible suspension of casino operations.
Four. The operation of the concession is subject to the permanent supervision and oversight of DICJ, according to the relevant legislation.
Five. The Concessionaire undertakes to be reviewed every three years by DICJ for compliance with the concession contract in general. If the results of the review reveal a lack of proactivity in complying with the stipulations of the concession contract or failure to comply with it, the Concessionaire must improve these situations within the period set by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, under Section 22 (1) 11) of Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 68
Daily monitoring of gross gaming revenue
The Concessionaire is subject to daily supervision by the Government, through DICJ, of its gross gaming revenues, in accordance with the law.
CHAPTER XIV
General duties of cooperation
Clause 69
Government's General Duty to Cooperate
The Government undertakes to cooperate with the Concessionaire so as to enable it to fulfill its legal and contractual obligations.
Clause 70
General obligation of cooperation by the Concessionaire
For the purposes set forth in this concession contract, the Concessionaire undertakes to cooperate with the Government, submitting any documents and providing any information, data, authorizations or evidence requested thereof.
CHAPTER XV
Other duties of the Concessionaire
Clause 71
Operation of the casinos and other facilities and premises
The Concessionaire undertakes to operate normally all of the premises of the casinos and other facilities and buildings assigned to the operation of the concession for the scopes for which they are intended or authorized.
Clause 72
General duties of the Concessionaire
One. It is the Concessionaire's special obligation to promote and demand, from all entities that may be contracted for the development of activities included within the concession, the observance of all rules of good organization and operation and special safety measures in relation to the patrons, its casinos, its employees and other persons who perform functions therein.
Two. In order to develop the activities included in the concession, the Concessionaire undertakes to contract entities that are duly licensed and authorized and that have adequate technical and professional capacity for this purpose.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to implement plans regarding the expansion of markets for overseas customers in accordance with the content and criteria of the proposal submitted by the Concessionaire as a bidder in the public tender for the award of concessions for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casino.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to implement the plans relating to social responsibility in accordance with the content and criteria of the award proposal submitted by the Concessionaire as a bidder in the public tender for the award of concessions for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casino, namely in the following areas:
1) Supporting the development of local small and medium-sized enterprises;
2) Supporting the development of diversification of local industries;
3) Guaranteeing the rights and interests of local employees, namely concerning the guarantee of work credits, in-service training, and professional advancement of local employees, as well as the welfare system designed to protect employees;
4) Hiring of disabled or rehabilitated individuals;
5) Supporting activities in the public interest;
6) Supporting educational, scientific and technological, environmental protection, cultural, and sports activities, among others.
Five. The Concessionaire undertakes to prepare, within a period of time to be established by the Government, a vocational training plan for the workers that will be performing duties in the activities included in the concession and deliver any other documents or additional information to such plan.
Clause 73
Adherence to the non-mandatory central provident fund system
The Concessionaire undertakes to join the non-compulsory central welfare scheme established by Law No. 7/2017 (Non-compulsory central provident fund).
Clause 74
Other Government Authorizations
The replacement, cancellation or alteration of evidential documents and records relating to the activity of the Concessionaire or the acquisition of gaming equipment and material shall require Government authorization.
Clause 75
Government authorizations and approvals
The Government authorizations, approvals and its possible refusals do not exonerate the Concessionaire from the punctual compliance with the obligations undertaken in this concession contract, nor do they imply the assumption by the Government of any responsibilities, except when its action has imposed a burden or caused special and extraordinary losses for the Concessionaire.
CHAPTER XVI
Liability of the Concessionaire
Clause 76
Civil liability to the Macau SAR
The Concessionaire is liable to the Macau SAR for losses resulting from total or partial non-compliance with its legal or contractual obligations due to facts it is responsible for.
Clause 77
Exemption of the Macau SAR from the Concessionaire's non-contractual liability to
third parties
One. The Macau SAR neither assumes nor shares any responsibility which the Concessionaire may be liable to for acts done by it or on its behalf that involve or may involve civil or other liability.
Two. The Concessionaire will also be liable, under the general terms of the principal-commissioned party relationship, for damages caused by entities retained by it for the development of the activities which are part of the concession.
CHAPTER XVII
Subjective changes in the concession
Clause 78
Assignment of the contractual position, encumbrance, conveyance, and alienation
One. Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 5 (3) of Law No. 7/2022, the Concessionaire undertakes not to assign, convey, dispose of, or in any way encumber, in whole or in part, expressly or tacitly, formally or informally, the right to operate a casino or gaming zone, or undertake the transfer or partial assignment of the legal rights and obligations relating to games of fortune or chance in casinos or the contractual position of the Concessionaire to third parties, or undertake any legal transaction aimed at achieving the same result.
Two. An act committed in violation of the provisions of the preceding paragraph and without prejudice to other applicable sanctions or penalties, shall result in the payment to the Macao SAR of the following penalty clauses:
1) In the case of assignment, conveyance, or alienation of the right to operate a casino or a gaming area, as a whole: MOP 2,000,000,000 (two billion patacas);
2) In the case of assignment, conveyance, or alienation of the right to operate a casino or a gaming area, in part: MOP 1,000,000,000 (one billion patacas)
3) In case of encumbrance of the right to operate a casino or gaming area, in whole or in part: MOP 600,000,000 (six hundred million patacas)
4) In case of transferring or assigning, in part, the legal rights and obligations or the contractual position in the concession of casino gambling to a third party, or performing any other legal transaction for the same purpose: MOP 600,000,000 (six hundred million patacas).
Clause 79
Prohibition on granting sub-concessions
One. The Concessionaire may not grant sub-concessions on its concession, in whole or in part, or undertake any legal business aimed at achieving the same result.
Two. Without prejudice to other applicable sanctions or penalties, an act committed in violation of the provisions of the previous paragraph shall result in the payment of the following penalties to the Macau SAR:
- Where a sub-concession is granted on the whole concession: MOP 1,000,000,000 (one billion patacas);
- Where a sub-concession is granted on part of the concession: MOP 600,000,000 (six hundred million patacas).
CHAPTER XVIII
Non-compliance with the contract
Clause 80
Breach of contract
One. Without prejudice to Clauses 81 and 82, failure by the Concessionaire, for reasons attributable thereto, to comply with the duties and obligations arising from the legislation or this concession contract or the determinations of the Government shall subject the Concessionaire to the application of the sanctions or penalties prescribed by law or the contract herein.
Two. The Concessionaire shall be exempt from the liability referred to in the previous paragraph in cases of force majeure or other facts which are not imputable thereto but only to the strict extent that punctual and full compliance has been effectively prevented.
Three. Cases of force majeure shall only encompass those events which are considered unforeseeable and irresistible and beyond the control of the Concessionaire and whose effects occur regardless of the will or personal circumstances of the same, namely acts of war, terrorism, alteration of public order, epidemics, atomic radiation, fire, lightning, serious floods, cyclones, tropical storms, earthquakes, and other natural cataclysms which directly affect the activities within the concession.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to notify the Government immediately of the occurrence of any case of force majeure and, as soon as possible, to indicate which obligations arising from this concession contract are, in their opinion, prevented from being complied due to such occurrence, as well as, if applicable, the measures it intends to implement in order to mitigate the impact of the referred event and/or normalize compliance with said obligations.
Five. In any of the cases referred to in paragraph three, the Concessionaire undertakes to rebuild the assets and/or restore them to their previous state as soon as possible, thereby re-establishing the proper operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos; should the Concessionaire have no economic interest in rebuilding and/or restoring the aforementioned assets, it undertakes to transfer the insurance payment to the Macau SAR.
CHAPTER XIX
Termination, cessation, and suspension of the concession
Clause 81
Termination
According to Section 45 of Law No. 16/2001, the casino gambling concession may be terminated by the Chief Executive, after hearing the Specialized Commission for the Gaming Sector, for the following reasons:
1) Termination due to a threat to national security or to the Macau SAR;
2) Termination by agreement between the Macau SAR and the Concessionaire;
3) Redemption;
4) Termination for breach of obligations, by the Concessionaire;
5) Termination for reasons of public interest;
6) Termination for lack of good standing on the part of the Concessionaire, as referred to in Section 14 of Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 82
Rescission by mutual agreement
One. The Government and the Concessionaire may at any time terminate this concession contract by mutual agreement.
Two. The Concessionaire shall be entirely responsible for the termination of the effects of any contracts to which it is a party, and the Macau SAR shall not assume any liability in this regard, unless otherwise expressly agreed.
Clause 83
Redemption
One. Unless provided otherwise by law, the Government may, from the eighth year of the concession, redeem said concession by giving the Concessionaire at least one year's notice by prepaid registered letter.
Two. By the redemption, the Macau SAR shall assume all the rights and obligations of the Concessionaire arising from legal transactions validly entered into by the latter before the date of the notice referred to in the previous paragraph.
Three. The obligations contracted by the Concessionaire under contracts signed by it after the notice referred to in paragraph one shall only be taken on by the Macau SAR when these contracts have obtained the Government's authorization prior to their signing.
Four. The assumption by the Macau SAR of obligations contracted by the Concessionaire is made without prejudice to the right of recovery for obligations contracted by the Concessionaire which are outside the normal management of the concession.
Five. Upon the redemption of the concession, the Concessionaire has the right, in accordance with Section 46(2) of Law No. 16/2001, to a fair and equitable compensation corresponding to the benefits it ceased to obtain as a result of the concession in the projects included in the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract. Of the amount of the compensation, the part relating to the construction projects shall correspond to the value of the income from such projects obtained in the fiscal year prior to that in which the redemption is made, before deduction of interest, depreciation and amortization, multiplied by the number of years remaining until the end of the concession.
Clause 84
Seizure
One. When the total or partial termination or interruption of the operation of the concession by the Concessionaire occurs or is imminent, without authorization and not due to force majeure, or when there are serious disturbances or deficiencies in the organization and operation of the Concessionaire or in the general condition of the installations and equipment, which may compromise the regularity of the concession operation, the Government may replace the Concessionaire, directly or through third-parties, ensuring the operation of the concession and promoting the execution of the measures required to ensure the scope of this concession contract, for as long as the termination or interruption lasts or the disturbances and deficiencies persist.
Two. During such seizure, the Concessionaire shall be liable for the expenses incurred in the maintenance and normalization of the concession operation and for this purpose the Government can use the collateral to guarantee the fulfilment of the Concessionaire’s legal or contractual obligations and the guarantee provided by the controlling shareholder of the Concessionaire.
Three. As soon as the reasons for the seizure cease to exist and the Government deems it appropriate, the Concessionaire shall be notified to resume normal operation of the concession within the established period.
Four. Should the Concessionaire be unwilling or unable to resume the operation of the concession or if, having done so, serious disturbances or deficiencies in its organization and operation continue to occur, the Government may declare unilateral termination for breach of this concession contract.
Clause 85
Termination for non-compliance with obligations
One. The Chief Executive may terminate the concession for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, by unilateral termination, in the event of non-compliance with obligations arising from legislation or from this concession contract to which the Concessionaire is bound.
Two. The following, in particular, constitute grounds for unilateral termination of this concession contract:
1) The deviation of the scope of the concession, either through unauthorized gaming operation, or through the exercise of activities excluded from the corporate scope of the Concessionaire;
2) The abandonment of the concession operation or its unjustified suspension for a period exceeding 7 consecutive days or 14 interspersed days in a calendar year;
3) The total or partial, temporary or definitive, transfer of the right of operation in non-compliance with the provisions of the concession regime referred to in clause six;
4) Failure to pay the taxes, premiums, contributions, or other remuneration due to the Macau SAR provided for in the concessions regime referred to in Clause 6 and not contested within the legal deadline;
5) The refusal or inability of the Concessionaire to resume the concession under the terms of paragraph four of the previous clause or if after having done so, the continuation of the situations which gave grounds for the attachment;
6) Repeated opposition to the exercise of supervision and inspection or repeated disobedience to the determinations of the Government, namely the instructions from DICJ;
7) Systematic non-compliance with the fundamental obligations contained in the concessions regime referred to in Clause 6;
8) Failure to provide or reinforce the collateral or guarantees provided for in the present concession contract within the terms and deadlines;
9) The bankruptcy or insolvency of the Concessionaire;
10) The practice of serious fraudulent activity aimed at damaging the public interest;
11) The serious and repeated violation of the rules for running games of fortune or chance in casinos or the integrity thereof;
12) Non-compliance with the investment amount and the respective criteria foreseen in this concession contract, within the deadline set by the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Three. Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 88, in the event one of the situations referred in the preceding paragraph or any other situation which, under the terms of this clause, may motivate the unilateral termination for breach of this concession contract, the Government shall notify the Concessionaire to fully comply with its obligations and correct or remedy the consequences of its actions within a period of time to be fixed by the Government, except in the case of an irremediable breach.
Four. In the event the Concessionaire does not comply with its obligations or does not correct or remedy the consequences of its actions, under the terms determined by the Government, the Government may unilaterally terminate this concession contract by notifying the Concessionaire. The Government may also notify, in writing, the entities that guaranteed the financing of the investments and obligations undertaken by the Concessionaire, under the terms and for the purposes of what is established in the concessions regime referred to in Clause 6, regarding financial capacity.
Five. The communication to the Concessionaire of the termination decision referred to in the previous paragraph shall take immediate effect, regardless of any other formality.
Six. In cases of justified urgency which are not compatible with the delays in the process for remedying the breach of duty provided for in paragraph three, the Government may, without prejudice to observance of that process and compliance with the provisions of paragraph four, immediately proceed to the attachment of the concession under the terms defined in the previous clause.
Seven. The unilateral termination for breach of this concession contract, under the terms of this clause, shall rise the duty to compensate the Concessionaire and the compensation shall be calculated under the general terms of the law.
Eight. Unilateral termination for breach of this concession contract implies the immediate reversion at no cost, free of any burdens or charges for the Macau SAR, of the casinos in question, as well as the equipment and utensils allocated to the games, even if located outside the casinos.
Clause 86
Cessation
One. The concession and contract for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos shall cease at the end of the concession period, ceasing the existing contractual relations between the Parties, without prejudice to the clauses of this concession contract that last beyond the term of the concession.
Two. Upon cessation under the terms of the previous paragraph, the Concessionaire shall be entirely responsible for the termination of the effects of any contracts to which it is a party and the Macau SAR shall be exempted of any liability in this matter.
CHAPTER XX
Contract revisions and amendments
Clause 87
Revisions of the concession contract
One. This concession contract may be revised after consultations between the Government and the Concessionaire, under the terms of the law.
Two. The revision of this concession contract, as well as any addenda thereto, shall follow the formalities set forth in Section 91 of Administrative Regulation No. 26/2001.
CHAPTER XXI
Pre-litigation phase
Clause 88
Consultations in pre-litigation phase
One. The Parties undertake to hold consultations whenever questions or divergences arise between them regarding the validity, application, execution, interpretation, or integration of the rules that govern this concession contract.
Two. The issues raised do not exempt the Concessionaire from the timely and full compliance with the provisions of this concession contract and the determinations of the Government that are communicated to it within its scope, nor does it allow any interruption in the development of any aspect of its activity which should continue to be carried out under the terms in force at the date of the submission of the issue.
Three. The provisions of the previous paragraph regarding the Concessionaire's compliance with Government determinations shall also apply to successive determinations on the same matter, even if issued after the date on which the consultations commenced, provided that the first of these successive determinations was communicated to the Concessionaire prior to that date.
CHAPTER XXII
Final Provisions
Clause 89
Securing licenses, permits, or authorizations
One. This concession contract does not exempt the Concessionaire from applying for, paying for, and/or endeavoring to obtain all licenses, permits, or authorizations necessary to carry out any aspect of its activity or for the fulfilment of the obligations foreseen in this concession contract, as well as from observing or fulfilling all the requirements necessary to obtain and maintain their validity.
Two. The Concessionaire shall immediately inform the Government if any licenses, permits, or authorizations referred to in the previous paragraph are withdrawn are set to expire, are suspended or revoked, or cease to produce their effects for any reason, reporting immediately what measures it has taken or will take to restore or reactivate such licenses, permits or authorizations.
Three. No clause of this concession contract may be understood as replacing the need to obtain any license, permit or authorization legally or contractually required.
Clause 90
Industrial and intellectual property rights
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to respect industrial and intellectual property rights in the exercise of its activity, under the terms of the law in force in the Macau SAR and is exclusively liable for the effects resulting from their violation.
Two. The licenses, permits or authorizations granted to the Concessionaire, namely those related to the fulfilment of the Investment Plans annexed to this concession contract, takes into assumption all industrial and intellectual property rights have been complied with by the Concessionaire.
Three. The Concessionaire shall freely provide the Macau SAR with all of its studies, projects, plans, blueprints, documents and other materials, of any nature, which prove to be necessary or useful for the performance of its duties under the terms of this concession contract, or for the exercise of its rights under the terms of this concession contract.
Four. At the request of the Macau SAR, the Concessionaire pledges to prepare any type of document or declaration with the objective of confirming or registering the rights referred to in the previous paragraph.
Five. If the Concessionaire does not settle any existing disputes with third parties regarding possible violations of industrial or intellectual property rights awarded or to be awarded to the Macau SAR under the terms of this clause, the Macau SAR shall always intervene in defense of these rights, with the Concessionaire undertaking to provide all of the assistance required for that purpose.
Clause 91
Notifications, communications, notices, authorizations, and approvals
One. Unless otherwise specified, notices, notifications, communications, authorizations and approvals referred to in this concession agreement shall be in writing and made:
1) By hand, provided they are corroborated by docket;
2) By fax, and corroborated by transmittal receipt;
3) By prepaid registered letter.
Two. Authorizations to be granted by the Government are always prior and may impose conditions.
Three. Failure to respond to a request for authorization and approval or another request made by the Concessionaire will result in rejection.
Four. For the scopes of this concession contract, the following addresses and fax reception points are considered to be the domiciles of the parties:
Government of the Macau SAR:
Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos
Avenida da Praia Grande, n.ºs 762-804, Edifício “China Plaza”, 12.º andar, Macau
Fax: 28370296
Concessionária:
MGM Grand Paradise S.A.
Sede: Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen n.º 1101, Edifício MGM, Macau
Fax: 8802 5905
Five. The Parties may change the addresses and fax reception points referred to in the preceding paragraph upon prior notice of the other Party.
Clause 92
Prohibition of acts restricting competition
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to carry out its activity in due respect of sound and fair competition, subject to the inherent principles of market economy.
Two. The Concessionaire is bound not to enter into agreements and not to engage in concerted practices, in whatever form, with other concessionaires operating in the Macau SAR or with companies belonging to their respective groups, which may hinder, restrict, or distort competition.
Three. The Concessionaire shall not abuse its dominant position in the market or in a substantial part thereof, which might hinder, restrict, or distort competition.
Clause 93
Junkets
The Concessionaire is liable to the Government for the casino activities of their registered junkets, as well as their administrators, key employees and collaborators and it shall supervise their activity.
Clause 94
Promotion of the Concessionaire enterprises
One. In compliance with the provisions of Section 42-A of Law No. 16/2001, the Concessionaire pledges to carry out advertising and marketing campaigns for its undertakings in Macau SAR and abroad.
Two. The government and the Concessionaire undertake to coordinate their publicity and marketing activities and campaigns in promoting Macau abroad.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes not to use images or broad contextual references to its casinos and other premises and annexes assigned to the operation of the concession on websites or internet addresses or in any other place which are designed to promote interactive games, without the Government's permission.
Clause 95
Elements included in the concession contract
The proposal submitted by the Concessionaire as a bidder in the public tender for the award of concessions for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, opened by Chief Executive Order No. 136/2022, is considered to be included in this concession contract in all matters that are not explicitly or implicitly contradicted by it.
Clause 96
Chips to be used in the concession operation
One. The acquisition of chips by the Concessionaire is subject to the authorization of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
Two. The circulation of chips is subject to the authorization of the Secretary for Economy and Finance who may set a maximum limit for the total number of chips allowed.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to guarantee the reimbursement, by cash or credit, of the chips in circulation.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to maintain a solvency ratio, to set aside provisions, and to observe other prudential rules to be indicated at a given time by the Government on the total amount of chips in circulation, in cash, or through highly liquid securities to guarantee their immediate payment.
Clause 97
Confidentiality
One. In compliance with the provisions in the concessions regime mentioned in Clause 6, the documents produced by the Government or by the Concessionaire are confidential and may only be made available to third parties with the Government’s authorization.
Two. The Government and the Concessionaire undertake to take the necessary measures to ensure that the employees of the Public Administration of the Macau SAR and of the Concessionaire are bound by the duty of confidentiality.
Three. The Government and the Concessionaire undertake to impose the duty of secrecy on other persons who have had or may have access to confidential documents, namely through consultancy, provision of service or other contracts.
Four. The Concessionaire undertakes to keep the entire contents of this concession contract confidential, including any documents that may make the contents of the contract known and may only disclose them to third parties with the authorization of the Government.
Five. The provisions set out in paragraph one and in the previous paragraph shall not apply to documents, information or elements requested on justified grounds by the competent judicial authority, by the regulatory agency for the operation of games of chance or other casino games in another jurisdiction or by the regulatory agency for the securities market, of which fact the Concessionaire is bound to inform the Government.
Six. The provisions foreseen in paragraphs one and four do not apply to documents, information, or elements which, in the Concessionaire’s opinion, are subject to being handed over to external financial entities, investors, lawyers, qualified accountants, auditors or advisors, but the Concessionaire undertakes to ensure that these persons have the same duty of confidentiality towards third parties.
Seven. Upon obtaining the authorization indicated in paragraph four, the Concessionaire is obligated to take all necessary steps to ensure that other people or entities who have known or come to know the content of this concession contract, including any documents that may make the content of the contract known, are bound by the duty of secrecy.
Eight. The provisions of this clause shall not prejudice the application of the provisions of Section 48-N of Law No. 16/2001.
Clause 98
Complaints book
One. The Concessionaire undertakes to set up and keep available to casino patrons a specific complaints book for complaints regarding the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos.
Two. The Concessionaire undertakes to post, in a visible place in the casinos and other gambling areas, a notice on the existence of the complaints book.
Three. The Concessionaire undertakes to forward the content of the complaints made in the complaints book to the Government, accompanied by the Concessionaire's report, within 48 hours.
Four. Complaints books may take the form of electronic media.
CHAPTER XXIII
Interim Provisions
Clause 99
Investment plans - 2023
The Concessionaire undertakes to submit to the Government for approval, in March 2023, a proposal for the execution of a concrete investment project for the same year to implement the Investment Plans attached to this concession contract, applying the provisions of Clause 38 with the necessary adaptations.
Clause 100
Declaration regarding the duty of cooperation
The Concessionaire undertakes to make every effort to obtain and submit to DICJ, within 15 days of signing this concession contract, a statement signed by shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital, its directors, key employees, and the final controlling shareholders, under the terms of which they agree to comply with the special duties of cooperation with the Government and undertake to submit any documents and provide any information, data, authorizations or evidence requested of them for this purpose.
Clause 101
Validity
This concession contract is written in both official languages and shall be valid as of 1 January 2023.
It was thus said and granted.
Financial Services Bureau, on_________________, 202 .
Notary
__________________
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Annex to the Concession Contract
Investment Plans
The Concessionaire undertakes to carry out the investment projects in accordance with the proposals submitted in the bidding process for the operation of games of fortune or chance in casinos, the total amount of the investment budget being MOP 16,700,000,000 (sixteen billion seven hundred million patacas), without prejudice to activating the mechanism for increased investment, including investment projects related to gambling and non-gambling, namely in the following areas: (1) Origin of international visitors; (2) Conventions and exhibitions; (3) Entertainment shows; (4) Sports events; (5) Culture and art; (6) Health and wellness; (7) Themed entertainment; (8) Gastronomic city; (9) Community tourism; (10) Maritime tourism; (11) Other.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 4, 2022, by and between MGM Resorts Satellite, LLC (“Employer”), and Gary Fritz (“Employee”).
1. Employment. Employer hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts employment by Employer as President – Interactive, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, to perform such executive duties as Employer may specify from time to time during the Specified Term (as defined in Section 2). If during the Specified Term Employee becomes an employee of another employer affiliated with the “Company,” Employee’s employment with the Employer shall terminate as of the date Employee commences such other employment and, pursuant to Section 19, Employee’s new Company employer shall assume all rights and obligations of Employer under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company” means MGM Resorts International, and all of its subsidiary and affiliated entities, together with all of their respective officers, directors, joint venturers, members, shareholders, employees, ERISA plans, attorneys and assigns.
2. Term. The term of your employment under this Agreement commences on October 1, 2022 and it terminates on September 30, 2026 (the “Specified Term”), unless a new written employment agreement is executed by the parties. If this Agreement is finalized and executed after October 1, 2022, it shall be retroactive to October 1, 2022. If Employee remains employed after the expiration of the Specified Term, and the parties do not execute a new employment agreement, then Employee shall be employed at-will and none of the provisions of the Agreement shall apply to Employee’s continued employment at-will, except applicable provisions of Sections 8, 10 (including, but not limited to, definitions of Employer’s Good Cause and Employee’s Good Cause), 11, 12-23, 24 (so long as the Board continues to determine that Employee is an Officer of MGM Resorts International (“MGM”), and 25, and Employer shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment with or without cause or notice, for any reason or no reason, and (unless otherwise provided herein) without any payment of severance or compensation, except as described in Section 10.
3. Compensation. During the Specified Term, Employer shall pay Employee a minimum annual salary of $1,250,000 payable in arrears at such frequencies and times as Employer pays its other employees. Employee is also eligible to receive employee and fringe benefits that are no less favorable than those provided to employees having the rank of the second highest senior executive of the Company. Employer will reimburse Employee for all reasonable business and travel expenses Employee incurs in performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement payable in accordance with Employer’s customary practices and policies as Employer may modify and amend them from time to time. Employee’s performance may be reviewed periodically. Employee may be eligible to participate in MGM Resorts’ deferred compensation plan according to the terms and conditions of the plan, which may be amended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion. Employee is eligible for consideration for a discretionary raise,
Employment Agreement – Gary Fritz (2022)
bonuses (whether in cash or equity or equity-based awards), promotion, and/or participation in discretionary benefit plans; provided, however, whether and to what extent Employee will be granted any of the above will be determined by Employer in its sole and absolute discretion.
3.1 Starting with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, Employee will be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, with a target bonus amount equal to 100% of Employee’s base salary (the “Target Bonus”). It is currently expected that Employee’s annual bonus will be based 50% on the achievement of an Adjusted EBITDAR target and 50% tied to a combination of strategic goals related to the Company’s digital and interactive businesses and general corporate leadership. Such annual bonus program may be modified as determined by the CEO and the Committee in consultation with the Employee. Employee will not be eligible to participate in the Employer’s annual bonus program applicable to the 2022 fiscal year. However, Employee shall, in Employer’s sole discretion, be eligible to receive a pro rata portion of his Target Bonus on the terms and conditions determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions of the annual bonus program may be changed from time to time. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 or 10.6, any Bonus under this Section 3.1 shall be paid at such time as the Company pays bonuses to the Company’s other senior executives with respect to each fiscal year, but not earlier than January 1 or later than March 15 of the year immediately following the end of each fiscal year; provided that to the extent any such bonus is in excess of 150% of the Target Bonus (such excess portion, the “Incremental Bonus Amount”), the Incremental Bonus Amount shall be payable 100% in the form of fully vested restricted stock units (the “Deferred RSUs”). The Deferred RSUs will be granted as of the Bonus Determination Date pursuant to the terms of the Company's 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Company's Form of Deferred Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Bonus Payouts (the “Award Agreement”). The Deferred RSUs shall be payable annually in four equal installments over the four-year period following the grant date, subject to acceleration in the event of the Employee’s termination of employment, in accordance with the specific terms set forth in the Award Agreement. Any such bonus shall be subject to the Policy on Recovery of Incentive Compensation in Event of Financial Restatement, as may be amended by the Company from time to time in its discretion, and any other clawback policies as may be adopted from time to time, including but not limited to for the purpose of complying with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and regulations thereunder promulgated by the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
3.2 It is anticipated that Employee will be required to travel extensively on behalf of Employer. Such travel, if by air, may be on aircraft provided by
Employer (if authorized by the Chief Executive Officer), or if commercial airlines are used, on a first-class basis (or best available basis, if first class is not available).
3.3 During the Specified Term, Employee will be eligible to receive the following two special bonus opportunities for $2,000,0000 each, split 50% in a one-time single lump sum cash amount and 50% in RSUs (1) achievement of a trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA at BetMGM, LLC and (2) successfully launching a defined digital offering on an MGM property, as more fully detailed in Exhibit A. related to the achievement of significant corporate initiatives:
3.4 Employee shall be eligible for annual equity awards in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in forms and amounts determined by the Human Capital and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) in its discretion. It is the Committee’s present expectation that such annual awards will have an aggregate grant-date Accounting Value targeted at $3,750,000 and that such annual awards will be provided (i) 60% in the form of RSUs of the Company that are subject to performance-based and service-based vesting conditions and (ii) 40% in the form of RSUs that are subject solely to service-based vesting conditions. These annual awards and any other equity awards granted on or after the Effective Date shall be subject to such terms as the Committee may determine in its discretion. “Accounting Value” means the accounting value calculated by Employer’s Chief Accounting Officer under procedures approved or modified by the Committee from time to time.
3.5 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (A) with respect to any regular annual incentive awards granted to Employee during the Specified Term under the Omnibus Plan or any successor thereto (but excluding any one-time or special retention awards, as determined by the Committee), the applicable award agreements for such awards shall include provisions with respect (i) death or Disability, (ii) termination by Employer other than by reason of “Employer’s Good Cause” and (iii) termination by Employee by reason of “Participant’s Good Cause” that shall be no less favorable to Employee than as set forth in each of the forms attached as Exhibits B, C and D and (B) during the Specified Term, any benefits Employee receives in connection with a Change of Control shall be no less favorable than those benefits provided in the Amended and Restated Change of Control Policy For Executive Officers adopted on August 16, 2022 (the “COC Policy”).
4. Extent of Services. Employee agrees that Employee’s employment by Employer is full time and exclusive. Employee further agrees to perform Employee’s duties in a competent, trustworthy and businesslike manner. Employee agrees that during the Specified Term Employee will not render any services of any kind (whether or not for compensation) for any person or entity and that Employee will not engage in any other
business activity (whether or not for compensation) that is similar to or conflicts with Employee’s duties under this Agreement, without the approval of the CEO or the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer (or General Counsel, as applicable) or the person or persons designated by the Office of the General Counsel to determine such matters. Employer understands that Employee serves or intends to serve on corporate boards and the restrictions of this Section 4 will not apply to Employee’s board service, whether or not such board service is compensated, if such board service does not pose a conflict of interest to the Company (it being agreed that service on the board of a competitor of the Company or BetMGM would pose a conflict) and provided that Employee only serves on one public company Board (in addition to any Boards specified on Exhibit E hereto). Employee must submit a conflict-of-interest form in connection with all such activities and receive approval from the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5. Policies and Procedures. Employee agrees and acknowledges that Employee is bound by Employer’s policies and procedures as they may be modified, amended or adopted by Employer from time to time including, but not limited to, the Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment/No Retaliation, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies. In the event the terms in this Agreement conflict with Employer’s policies and procedures, the terms of this Agreement shall take precedence. As Employee is aware, problem gaming and underage gambling can have adverse effects on individuals and the gaming industry as a whole. Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and is familiar with Employer’s policies, procedures and manuals and agrees to abide by them. Because these matters are of such importance to Employer, Employee specifically confirms that Employee is familiar with and will comply with Employer’s policies of prohibiting underage gaming, supporting programs to treat compulsive gambling, and promoting diversity in all aspects of Employer’s business.
6. Licensing Requirements. Employee acknowledges that Employer is engaged in a business that is or may be subject to and exists because of privileged licenses issued by governmental authorities within and outside the United States. Employee shall apply for and obtain any license, qualification, clearance or other similar approval that Employer or any regulatory authority, which has jurisdiction over Employer, requests or requires that Employee obtain.
7. Failure to Satisfy Licensing Requirement. Employer has the right to terminate Employee’s employment under Section 10.1 of this Agreement if: (i) Employee fails to satisfy any licensing requirement referred to in Section 6 above; (ii) Employer is directed to cease business with Employee by any governmental authority referred to in Section 6 above; (iii) Employer determines, in its sole and exclusive judgment, that Employee was, is or might be involved in, or are about to be involved in, any activity, relationship(s) or circumstance which could or does jeopardize Employer’s business, reputation or such licenses; or (iv) any of Employer’s licenses is threatened to be, or is, denied, curtailed, suspended or revoked as a result of Employee’s employment by Employer or as a result of Employee’s actions.
8. Restrictive Covenants. Employee acknowledges that in the course of performing Employee’s responsibilities under this Agreement Employee will form relationships and become acquainted with Employer and Company’s “Trade Secrets” and “Confidential Information” (defined below in Sections 8.3.1 and 8.3.2). Employee further acknowledges that such relationships, Trade Secrets, and Confidential Information are valuable to Employer. Employee therefore acknowledges that the restrictions on Employee’s future employment contained in this Agreement, if any, are reasonably necessary and appropriate in scope such that such restrictions do not impose an undue hardship on Employee and are no broader than necessary for the protection of Employer. In light of the valuable consideration provided for in this Agreement including, but not limited to, Employee’s offer of employment and/or continued employment, and the “Severance Payment” to which Employee is entitled to under the circumstances stated below in Section 10, Employee agrees as follows:
8.1 Competition. During the term of Employee’s employment within the Specified Term and for a period of 12 months immediately thereafter (the “Restricted Period”), Employee shall not directly or indirectly be employed by, provide consultation or other services to, engage in, participate in or otherwise be connected in any way with any “Competitor” (defined below) in any capacity that is the same or substantially the same to the position or capacity (irrespective of title or department) as Employee held during the last year of Employee’s employment with Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (a) during the Specified Term, (i) Employer terminates this Agreement due to elimination of Employees position (and such general duties are not otherwise moved to another position or role regardless of the title) or (ii) Employee terminates this Agreement with Employee Good Cause, or (b) Employee remains employed at-will by Employer after expiration of the Specified Term and is thereafter separated by Employer during the Restricted Period for any reason other than “Employer’s Good Cause” (defined below), Employee shall not be subject to this Section 8.1.
8.1.1. Competitor Defined. “Competitor” means any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity which is either directly, indirectly or through an affiliated company, engaged in or proposes to engage in the development, ownership, operation or management of (i) gaming facilities; (ii) convention or meeting facilities; or (iii) one or more hotels if any such hotel is connected in any way, whether physically or by business association, to a gaming establishment and, further, where Competitor’s activities are within a 150 mile radius of any location where any of the foregoing facilities, hotels, or venues are, or are proposed to be, owned, operated, managed or developed by the Company. Given the unique nature of Employee’s involvement in Employer’s sports betting and mobile gaming/betting business, Competitor also includes any business or enterprise (located anywhere in the world) which owns, operates, develops, maintains or facilitates the
operation of mobile gaming/betting, regardless of whether such mobile gaming/betting is conducted online, through an “app,” via peer-to-peer transactions, and/or under the auspices of a gaming-resort. Without limitation, William Hill is an example of such a Competitor, and Flutter Entertainment plc (formerly Paddy Power Betfair plc), which is based in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Italy, but which engages in business in the United States, is another. Because Employer’s business interest in the mobile gaming/betting market and customer base is not dependent on geographic proximity or location and instead draws from Business Contacts around the world, and because such business or enterprise allows for Employee to work remotely, Employee agrees the foregoing world- wide restriction is reasonable and necessary.
8.2 Non-Solicitation. At all times during Employee’s employment with the Employer, and for twelve (12) months thereafter, Employee will not, without the prior written consent of Employer, in each and every instance such consent to be within Employer’s sole and absolute discretion, call on, solicit, induce to leave and/or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, induce to leave and/or take away:
8.2.1 any “Business Contacts” (defined below) of Employer or the Company for the benefit of a Competitor or any person or entity working on behalf of a Competitor. For purposes of this Agreement “Business Contacts” means (a) any person including, but not limited to, any of Employer or Company’s patrons, customers or guests, or agents of thereof, (b) any business entity including, but not limited to, advertisers, suppliers, vendors, or independent contractors, or agent thereof, or (c) any contact or other information pertaining to any person or business entity with whom Employee worked or did business during the 12 months prior to Employee’s termination.
8.2.2 any Business Contact for purposes of prompting or attempting to prompt such Business Contact to cease or diminish his/her/its relationship with Employer or the Company for the benefit of a Competitor or any person or entity working on behalf of a Competitor; or,
8.2.3. any of Employer’s employees who worked in any department in which Employee worked during the 12 months immediately prior to Employee’s termination to end such employee’s employment with Employer or to breach any agreement with Employer, including, but not limited to an agreement for non-disclosure, non- competition or non-solicitation.
8.3 Confidentiality.
8.3.1 Trade Secrets. At all times during Employee’s employment with the Employer, and at all times thereafter, Employee shall not use, access, disclose, make known to, or otherwise disseminate for personal gain or for the benefit of a third party (or induce, encourage or assist others in doing any of the foregoing acts) any Employer or Company “Trade Secrets” (defined below) for any purpose whatsoever. “Trade Secrets” are defined in a manner consistent with the broadest interpretation of the law of the state in which Employee was last employed and shall include, without limitation, formulas, inventions, patterns, compilations, vendor lists, customer lists, contracts, business plans and practices, marketing plans and practices, financial plans and practices, programs, devices, methods, know-hows, techniques or processes, any of which derive economic value, present or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who may or could obtain any economic value from its disclosure or use, including but not limited to the general public.
8.3.2 Confidential Information. At all times during Employee’s employment with Employer and thereafter, Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Employer’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, or Chief Legal Officer (or General Counsel, as applicable), in each and every instance--such consent to be within the Employer’s sole and absolute discretion--use, disclose or make known to any person, entity or other third party outside of Employer or Company any “Confidential Information” (defined below) belonging to Employer or the Company. For purposes of this Agreement Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, Employer’s Business Contacts; business plans, practices, and procedures; contractual relationships; financial information, operations or plans; financial management systems; marketing practices and procedures; management policies; customer databases; client and customer lists; the identities and contact information for customers, players, and/or guests; pricing systems pertaining to all goods and services offered by Employer; and any information regarding Employer’s marketing, financial plans and practices, and business operation whatsoever that a reasonable person in Employee’s position would understand to be confidential or proprietary that is not already generally known to the public through no wrongful act of Employee or any other party known to Employee.
8.3.2.1 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 8.3.1 shall not apply to Confidential Information: (i) that is required to be disclosed by law or by any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative or legislative body (including any
committee thereof) in any litigation, arbitration, mediation or legislative hearing, with jurisdiction to order Employee to disclose or make accessible any information, provided, however, that Employee provides Employer with ten (10) days’ advance written notice of such disclosure to enable Employer to seek a protective order or other relief to protect the confidentiality of such Confidential Information; (ii) that becomes generally known to the public or within the relevant trade or industry other than due to Employee’s violation of this Agreement; or (iii) that becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source that is legally entitled to disclose it to Employee.
8.3.2.2 Under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made to Employee’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against Employee for reporting a suspected violation of law; or (c) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
Nothing in this Agreement (or another agreement between Employee and the Company) is intended to or shall prevent or interfere with Employee disclosing information that Employee has a right to disclose under applicable law, including but not limited to: (i) Employee discussing or disclosing information relating to conduct that Employee reasonably believes to be illegal discrimination, illegal harassment, illegal retaliation, a wage and hour violation, sexual assault that is recognized as illegal under any state, federal, or common law, or that is recognized as against a clear mandate of public policy, and that occurs or occurred at the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the Company, between employees of the Company or between the Company and an employee, whether on or off the employment premises; and (ii) Employee disclosing Employee’s own compensation information with other employees, or with third parties who are not future employers or competitors of the Company.
8.4 Third Party Information. Employee understands and acknowledges that Employer and the Company have received, and in the future will receive, from third parties, their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty to
maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times during Employee’s employment with Employer, whether pursuant to this Agreement or at-will, and at all times thereafter, Employee shall hold any and all such third party confidential or proprietary information of third parties in the strictest confidence and will not intentionally or negligently disclose it to any person or entity or to use it except as necessary in carrying out Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder consistent with the Employer or Company’s agreement with such third party. Employee shall not be in violation of Employee’s obligations hereunder if such third party confidential or proprietary information is already generally known to the public through no wrongful act of Employee or any other party.
8.5 Acknowledgement of Ownership of Confidential Information Property Acquired or Developed During Employment; Non-Transfer. Employee understands, agrees, and hereby confirms that Employee’s duties and responsibilities include acquiring Confidential Information and developing Relationships for the benefit of Employer and Employer. Employee acknowledges that Confidential Information acquired, obtained, learned, or developed during Employee’s employment with Employer, including but not limited to, Business Contacts developed during Employee’s employment, constitutes the sole and exclusive property of Employer, regardless of whether the information qualifies for protection as a Trade Secret. Employee further understands, agrees, and hereby confirms that during Employee’s employment, Employee shall not, at any time or for any reason whatsoever, except upon the express written authorization of Employer, store, transfer, maintain, copy, duplicate or otherwise possess Confidential Information on any device or in any form or format except on devices and in such formats as expressly approved and issued by Employer to Employee. By way of example, and without limitation, Employee shall not text, copy, or otherwise transfer in any form or format Confidential Information to any document, paper, computer, tablet, cellular phone, personal mobile device, iPhone, iPad, thumb drive, smart phone memory, zip drive or disk, flash drive, external drive or any other similar device used for storing or recording data of any kind (a “Device” or the “Devices”) unless such Device is issued by the Employer to Employee, or unless such text, copy or transfer is expressly approved in writing by Employer before Employee’s use of such Device. Employer expressly approves Employee’s use of the following devices for his work with the Company: MacBook Pro, iPad and Google Pixel Phone (including future replacements for these devices). Employee may store, transfer, maintain, copy, duplicate or otherwise possess Confidential Information on or to said devices.
8.6 Return of Confidential Information. Upon termination of Employee’s employment for any reason at any time, Employee shall immediately return to the Employer, and retain no copies of, any all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession or control. If any Confidential Information is recorded or
saved in any format or on any Devices, Employee shall delete the Confidential Information. Upon Employer’s request, at Employer’s expense and through a mutually agreed third party service and protocol, Employee will allow Employer to inspect such Devices to confirm the deletion. Upon Employer’s request, at Employer’s expense and through a mutually agreed third party service and protocol, Employee shall allow Employer reasonable access to Employee’s personal computers, email accounts, and Devices to confirm that Employee does not possess any Confidential Information of Employer in contravention of this Agreement.
8.7 Acknowledgement of Copyrights in and to Compilations of Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that Employer and/or the Company owns copyrights in any and all compilations of Confidential Information in any tangible or electronic form (including, but not limited to, printed lists, handwritten lists, spreadsheets, and databases) in any storage media, including, but not limited to, Devices, (collectively, “Copyrighted Works”). Employee further acknowledges that unauthorized copying, distributing, or creating derivative works, or inducing or contributing to such conduct by others, based on such Copyrighted Works constitutes infringement of Employer and/or the Company’s copyrights in and to the Copyrighted Works. Employee acknowledges that only the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, or Chief Legal and Administrative Officer (or General Counsel, as applicable) of Employer or the Company are authorized to grant authorization to Employee to copy, distribute or create derivative works based on the Copyrighted Works. Employee shall obtain any such authorization from Employer or the Company in writing, in advance of any copying, distribution or creation of derivative works by Employee. Employee acknowledges that federal law provides for civil liability and criminal penalties for copyright infringement. Employee agrees not to challenge, contest or dispute Employer’s or the Company’s right, title and interest in the Copyrighted Works and waives any legal or equitable defense to infringement of such Copyrighted Works.
9 Representations and Warranties. Employee hereby represents and warrants to Employer, and hereby agrees with Employer, as follows:
9.1 Employee has received valuable consideration in light of each and all of the restrictions set forth above in Sections 4 and 8. Employee therefore expressly agrees that the restrictions contained in Sections 4 and 8 are reasonable, appropriate and suitable in their geographic scope, duration and content, and are essential for the Employer’s reasonable protection of its Trade Secrets, Business Contacts, and Confidential Information. In accordance with Employee’s agreement to suitability, appropriateness, and reasonableness of such restriction, Employee agrees that Employee shall not raise any issue of the reasonableness, appropriateness and suitability of the geographic scope, duration or content of such restrictions in any proceeding to enforce such restrictions. Employee further
agrees that Sections 4 and 8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their terms. Employee further expressly agrees that Employee has received sufficient and valuable consideration allowing Employer to freely and fully assign its rights under Sections 4 and 8 to the Company or upon a sale or other transaction of any kind relating to the ownership and/or control of Employer, so long as any other remaining obligations to Employee under this Agreement are also assigned.
9.2 Employee agrees that the enforcement of any remedy under this Agreement will not prevent Employee from earning a livelihood because Employee’s past work history and abilities are such that Employee can reasonably expect to find work irrespective of the restrictions contained herein.
9.3 Employer has reasonably relied on Employee’s covenants, representations and agreements with respect to Sections 4 and 8 in this Agreement.
9.4 Employee acknowledges and agrees that because Employer has and will continue to invest substantial time and expense in developing and protecting its relationships and Confidential Information, any loss of or damage to Employer as a result of a breach or threatened breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in Sections 4 and 8 hereof will cause Employer to suffer irreparable harm. Consequently, Employee covenants and agrees that any violation by Employee of Sections 4 and 8 of this Agreement shall entitle Employer to seek immediate injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of posting any bond or waiving any claim for damages. Employee further covenants and agrees that Employee will not contest the enforceability of just an injunction in any state or country in which such an injunction is not, itself, a violation of law.
9.5 Employee has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder, and the entering into and performance of this Agreement by Employee will not violate or conflict with any arrangements or other agreements Employee may have or has with any other person or entity.
10. Termination. Upon termination of employment for any reason, during the Specified Term or thereafter, Employee shall be entitled to a) any accrued base salary and benefits due to Employee for his work through the termination date; b) reimbursement of reasonable business and travel expenses incurred by Employee prior to the termination date, payable in accordance with Employer’s customary practices and policies, and c) equity vesting pursuant to the terms of applicable equity award agreements. In addition to the foregoing:
10.1 Employer’s Good Cause Termination. Employer has the right to terminate this Agreement for “Good Cause” at any time during the Specified Term. Good
Cause shall mean (1) (A) the Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to (x) a crime relating to the Company or its affiliates or (y) any felony, (B) Employee is found disqualified or not suitable to hold a casino or other gaming license by a final, non-appealable determination (or if Employee fails to appeal a determination that may be appealed) of an applicable governmental gaming authority, which causes Employee’s failure or inability to satisfy gaming licensing requirements set forth in this Agreement, (C) willful misconduct, gross misconduct, or gross negligence in the performance of the Employee’s duties to the Company (which includes but is not limited to material inattention to Employer’s business or material dishonesty) (D) a material breach by the Employee of any material written agreement entered into between the Employee and the Company, or any material written policy of the Company, including but not limited to the Company’s sexual harassment policy, (E) the Employee’s refusal or intentional failure to follow a lawful and proper direction of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board, or (F) any conduct (whether or not listed in (A) through (E) of this paragraph) by the Employee, whether or not in the course of performing the Employee’s responsibilities to the Company, that has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or reputation of the Company; in the cases of each of (C) through (F) above, that, if curable, is not cured by the Employee within thirty (30) days following the Employee’s receipt of written notice given to the Employee by the Company; or
(2) Employee’s failure or inability to satisfy the requirements stated in Section 6 above. Employer further reserves the sole and absolute discretion to determine Employee’s failure or inability to satisfy the requirements stated in Section 6 above, which discretion will be exercised lawfully and in good faith. Upon Employer’s Good Cause termination, Employer shall have no further liability or obligations whatsoever to Employee under this Agreement except as expressly described at the beginning of this Section 10.
10.2 Termination Due to Employee’s Death. In the event Employee’s employment is terminated as the result of Employee’s death during the Specified Term, Employee’s beneficiary (as designated by Employee on Employer’s benefit records) shall be entitled to receive Employee’s salary for a twelve (12) month period (less taxes and withholding), such amount to be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days of Employee’s termination date. Employer shall also pay any Earned Bonus Amount (as defined below).
10.3 Termination Due to Employee’s Disability. In the event that Employee’s termination is the result of Employee’s “Disability” (defined below) during the Specified Term, Employer shall pay Employee an amount equal to Employee’s salary for twelve (12) month period (less taxes and withholding), such amount to be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days of Employee’s termination date. In addition, Employee shall receive a payment equal to 1.5 times the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following separation (the “COBRA Payment”), payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of
Employee’s termination date. Employer shall also pay any Earned Bonus Amount (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, and because of Employee’s unique position and duties for Employer, “Disability” shall mean Employee’s inability to perform the essential functions of the Employee’s position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, for a period of six (6) consecutive months or for a cumulative period of six (6) months over a twelve (12) month period.
10.4 Employer’s No Cause Termination of Employee. Employer has the right to terminate Employee’s employment for “No Cause” (defined below) in its sole discretion at any time during the Specified Term. A “No Cause” termination of Employee is termination for a reason other than a reason stated in Section 10.1 through 10.3 above. Subject to the conditions set forth below in Section 10.5:
10.4.1 If Employee is terminated during the Specified Term, Employee shall receive an amount equal to: (i) Employee’s annual base salary and (ii) Target Bonus (the “Severance Payment”), less all applicable taxes, payable in twelve (12) monthly installments commencing upon the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of separation; plus any earned but unpaid discretionary bonus due to Employee, payable in accordance with the provisions of the bonus program. For the avoidance of doubt, an earned bonus includes any bonus where the performance period has been completed and a bonus has become payable to the Employee (an “Earned Bonus Amount”). In addition, Employee shall receive a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following separation (the “COBRA Payment”), payable in twelve (12) monthly installments commencing upon separation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Employee is terminated during the Specified Term as a result of a Material Digital Acquisition (as defined below) then, in lieu of the Severance Payment, Employee shall be entitled to an amount equal to (i) two (2) times Employee’s annual base salary plus two (2) times his Target Bonus, less all applicable taxes, payable in twenty four (24) monthly installments commencing upon the date that is thirty (30) days after Employee’s termination date (the “MDA Severance Payment”) and (ii) the COBRA Payment. In the event Employee becomes entitled to the MDA Severance Payment and such event triggers severance payments under the Company’s COC Policy, if the aggregate cash benefits payable to Employee pursuant to Sections 10.4 or 10.6 of this Agreement are more than the aggregate cash benefits payable under the CoC Policy then Employee shall be entitled to the amount of aggregate cash benefits payable under Section 10.4 or 10.6 of this Agreement, as applicable, which shall be payable in the form and at the times set forth in Section 3.2 of the COC Policy (in lieu of any cash benefits under Section 3.3 of the COC Policy).
“Material Digital Acquisition” means consummation of an acquisition (or merger or similar corporate transaction) by the Company of a digital gaming/interactive company that is material to the Company on a consolidated basis.
10.4.2 If Employee remains employed at-will by Employer after expiration of the Specified Term and is thereafter separated during the Restricted Period for No Cause, employee shall receive a lump sum payment (less all applicable taxes) equal to Employee’s then-current annual base salary, payable upon the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of separation and any Earned Bonus Amount.
10.5 Payments Conditioned on Release. Employee’s eligibility for the amounts set forth in Sections 10.3, 10.4, and 10.6 shall be expressly subject to, conditioned upon, and in consideration of Employee’s execution of a full and final release and non-revocation of all claims of any kind whatsoever (except those that cannot be released as a matter of law) in favor of Employer and the Company, whether such claims are known or unknown, and regardless of type, cause or nature of such claims.
10.5.1 As a further condition to Employer’s obligations under Section
10.5 above, Employee agrees to cooperate with Employer and Company regarding matters on which Employee has worked, on a reasonable basis and at times mutually convenient to both parties. Employee further agrees to fully cooperate with Employer and the Company in any ongoing or future legal matters about which Employee has knowledge or information, or that concern Employee’s former position with Employer. To the extent that Employee’s cooperation requires more than a de minimis time commitment, Employer and Employee shall agree on a reasonable hourly rate for time and services related to Employee’s cooperation.
10.6 Employee’s Good Cause Termination. Employee may terminate this Agreement during the Specified Term for “Employee’s Good Cause.” For purposes of this Agreement, Employee’s Good Cause shall mean, without Employee’s written consent (i) any assignment to Employee of duties that are materially different than those contemplated by the terms of this Agreement, (ii) a decrease to Employee’s salary and/or target bonus potential, each as set forth in Section 3, (iii) a materially adverse change in Employee’s reporting relationship, (iv) any requirement that Employee relocate his office location from the greater Seattle, Washington area, (v) the failure of Employer to pay Employee any compensation when due, (vi) other material breach of this Agreement by Employer, (vii) Employee’s resignation during the Specified Term following a Material Digital Acquisition that would require Employee to re-locate outside of North America or (viii) any material and significant limitation on the powers of the Employee not contemplated by the terms of this Agreement. Employee’s
Good Cause Termination shall not be effective until Employee has given Employer specific notice identifying the alleged Good Cause and Employer has not cured the circumstances constituting Good Cause within ten (10) business days.
10.6.1 If Employee terminates employment during the Specified Term for Employee’s Good Cause, Employee shall receive an amount equal to the (a) Severance Payment, less all applicable taxes, or, if applicable the MDA Severance Payment, payable in twelve (12) monthly installments commencing upon the date that is thirty (30) days after Employee’s termination date and in accordance with 10.5 and (b) any Accrued Bonus Amount. In addition, Employee shall receive a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following separation (the “COBRA Payment”), payable in twelve (12) monthly installments commencing upon the date that is thirty (30) days after Employee’s termination date.
10.7 Employee’s No Cause Termination. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment at any time during the Specified Term for “No Cause” after providing Employer at least thirty (30) days advance notice (the “Notice Period’) of such intent to terminate. Employer may elect to terminate Employee prior to the expiration of the Notice Period but must, in that event, keep Employee on its payroll for the duration of the Notice Period and continue to provide related benefits and vesting. A No Cause termination by Employee shall mean a termination by Employee of Employee’s employment for any reason other than for Good Cause, as defined above. In the event Employee terminates Employee’s employment under this Agreement for No Cause, Employer shall have no further liability or obligations whatsoever to Employee under this Agreement except as expressly described at the beginning of this Section 10.
10.8 Employer’s Option to Make Additional Salary Continuation Payments. In the event Employee is terminated as the result of a layoff (as the term “layoff” is construed under RCW 49.62.020), and in the event the terms of this Agreement do not otherwise provide for Employee to receive compensation equivalent to Employee's base salary at the time of termination in a manner permitting Employer to enforce the terms of Sections 8.1 and/or 8.2 for the restricted periods set forth therein, Employer may, at its sole option, elect to pay Employee compensation equivalent to employee's base salary at the time of termination, less any compensation earned through subsequent employment, during the periods of restriction set forth in Sections 8.1 and/or 8.2.
11. Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, any controversy, dispute or claim: (a) arising directly or indirectly out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof; or, (b) arising out of or relating to the
employment of Employee, or the termination thereof, except for claims of Sex Discrimination/Harassment, shall be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to Exhibit F, which is incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
12. Severability. If any section, provision, paragraph, phrase, word, and/or line (collectively, “Provision”) of this Agreement is declared to be unenforceable, then this Agreement will be deemed retroactively modified to the extent necessary to render the otherwise unenforceable Provision, and the rest of the Agreement, valid and enforceable. If a court or arbitrator declines to modify this Agreement as provided herein, the invalidity or unenforceability of any Provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining Provisions. This Section 12 does not limit either party’s rights to seek damages or such additional relief as may be allowed by law and/or equity in respect to any breach of the enforceable provisions of this Agreement.
13. No Waiver of Breach or Remedies. No failure or delay on the part of Employee or Employer in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
14. Amendment or Modification. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Employee and a duly authorized member of Employer’s senior management and be approved by the Committee. No consent to any departure by Employee from any of the terms of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same is signed by a duly authorized member of Employer’s senior management and is approved by the Committee. Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
15. Governing Law and Venue. The laws of the State of Washington shall govern the validity, construction and interpretation of this Agreement. Further, venue for any claim brought pursuant to this Agreement and, in accordance with the terms of the Arbitration Agreement incorporated herein, shall reside exclusively in King County, Washington, and each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents and agrees to such venue and to personal jurisdiction in King County, Washington. In the event the Employer commences an action for injunctive relief to enforce the obligations set forth in Sections 8.1 through 8.7, the parties expressly agree and consent to venue and personal jurisdiction in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington.
16. Number and Gender. Where the context of this Agreement requires the singular shall mean the plural and vice versa and references to males shall apply equally to females and vice versa.
17. Headings. The headings in this Agreement have been included solely for convenience of reference and shall not be considered in the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
18. Assignment. This Agreement is personal to Employee and may not be assigned by Employee. Employee agrees that Employer may assign this Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, Employee expressly understands and agrees that Employer’s successors, affiliates and assigns may, to the extent that each have also assumed all obligations of Employer under this Agreement, enforce the provisions of Sections 4 and 8 above, and that the consideration recited above for such assignability is sufficient and valuable consideration for Employee’s consent to the right of Employer’s successors, affiliates and assigns to enforce the provisions of Sections 4 and 8.
19. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employer’s successors and assigns and Employee’s heirs and legal successors.
20. Prior Agreements. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties on the subjects described herein and shall supersede and replace any and all other employment agreements that may have been entered into by and between the parties. Any such prior employment agreements shall be of no force and effect.
21. Employee acknowledges that MGM Resorts International is a publicly traded company and agrees that in the event there is any default or alleged default by Employer under the Agreement, or Employee has or may have any claims arising from or relating to the Agreement, Employee shall not commence any action or otherwise seek to impose any liability whatsoever against any person or entity in its capacity as a stockholder of MGM Resorts International (“Stockholder”). Employee further agrees that Employee shall not permit any party claiming through Employee, to assert a claim or impose any liability against any Stockholder (in its capacity as a Stockholder) as to any matter or thing arising out of or relating to the Agreement or any alleged breach or default by Employer.
22. Section 409A.
22.1 This Agreement is intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and any regulations and Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). If Employer determines in good faith that any
provision of this Agreement would cause Employee to incur an additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A, the Committee and Employee shall use reasonable efforts to reform such provision, if possible, in a mutually agreeable fashion to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A or causing the imposition of such additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A. However, the preceding provisions shall not be construed as a guarantee by Employer of any particular tax effect to Employee under this Agreement.
22.2 “Termination of employment,” or words of similar import, as used in this Agreement means, for purposes of any payments under this Agreement that are payments of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, Employee’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A.
22.3 For purposes of Section 409A, the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
22.4 With respect to any reimbursement of Employee’s expenses, or any provision of in-kind benefits to you, as specified under this Agreement, such reimbursement of expenses or provision of in-kind benefits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the amount of in-kind benefits provided in one taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other taxable year, except for any medical reimbursement arrangement providing for the reimbursement of expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code; (2) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made pursuant to Employer’s reimbursement policy but no later than the end of the year after the year in which such expense was incurred; and (3) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
22.5 If a payment obligation under this Agreement that constitutes a payment of “deferred compensation” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(1), after giving effect to the exemptions in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12)) arises on account of Employee’s separation from service while Employee is a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A), any payment thereof that is scheduled to be paid within six (6) months after such separation from service shall accrue without interest and shall be paid within 15 days after the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of such separation from service or, if earlier, within 15 days following your death.
23. Ownership of Intellectual Property. Employee expressly acknowledges that all trademarks, trade dress, copyrightable works, patentable inventions, ideas, new or novel inventions, concepts, systems, methods of operation, improvements, strategies, techniques, trade secrets including, but not limited to, customers (including, but not limited to, customer names, contact information, historical and/or theoretical play, or other information, and the right to market to such customers), data of any type or nature and regardless of the form or media, as well as all materials of any type of nature that comprise, reflect or embody any of the foregoing including, without limitation, databases, software, artistic works, advertisements, brochures, marketing plans, customer lists, memoranda, business plans, and proposals (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) created, conceived, developed, contributed to, or otherwise obtained, in whole or in part by the Employee during the term of his employment by Employer shall at all times be owned by Employer (and is hereby expressly assigned by Employee to Employer) if the Intellectual Property: (a) was created, conceived, developed, or contributed to: (1) using any of Employer’s property or resources; (2) on Employer’s premises; or (3) during Employee’s hours of employment; or (b) relates to Employee’s employment by Employer, even though creation of such Intellectual Property was not within the scope of Employee’s duties and responsibilities for which the Employer employs the Employee. All works of authorship created by Employee within the scope of this provision shall be deemed works made for hire as defined in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 101. To the extent such works are deemed not to be works of authorship, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns (or authorizes Employer to act as Employee’s agent to assign) all right, title and interest in and to the copyrights in the works, including, without limitation, right of attribution and all related moral rights, to the Employer. Employee further agrees that any inventions and trade secrets covered by this provision shall be owned absolutely and exclusively by Employer, including all patent rights throughout the world. Employee acknowledges that this provision provides Employer with rights to the fullest extent permitted by RCW 49.44.140. Employee shall promptly inform Employer about such patentable inventions and shall not disclose to any third parties any information about the inventions without the prior written consent of Employer. Employee agrees to execute and deliver to Employer, upon request, such documents as may be necessary for Employer to perfect its rights in any and all Intellectual Property covered by this provision. To fulfill the intent of this paragraph, Employee irrevocably appoints Employer and Employer’s authorized agents as his agent and attorney in fact to transfer, vest or confirm Employer’s rights and to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawful acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters, patents or trademark or copyright registrations with the same legal force as if done by Employee, in all instances in which Employer is unable for any reason to secure Employee’s personal signature. Employee shall not be entitled to any compensation or other consideration for any Intellectual Property covered by this provision.
24. Indemnification. Employer agrees that Employee will seek Board approval to designate Employee as an Officer of MGM such that Employee will be entitled to the indemnification provisions under MGM’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time).
25. Interpretation; Each Party the Drafter. This Agreement is the product of extensive discussions and negotiations between Employee and Employer. Each of these parties was represented by or had the opportunity to consult with counsel who either participated in the formulation and documentation of, or was afforded the opportunity to review and provide comments on, this Agreement. Accordingly, this Agreement and the provision contained in it shall not be construed or interpreted for or against any party to this Agreement because that party drafted or caused that party’s legal representative to draft any of its provisions. In addition, the provisions set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement are intended to comply with the requirements of Chapter 49.62 RCW, and to the maximum extent permitted by the language of this Agreement, Section 8 of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that complies with Chapter 49.62. RCW.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer and Employee have entered into this Agreement in Las Vegas, Nevada, as of the date first written above.
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GARY FRITZ - |
/s/ Gary Fritz |
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Dated: Oct 5, 2022 |
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MGM RESORTS SATELLITE, LLC. - |
/s/ William J. Hornbuckle |
By: |
Dated: 10/10/2022 |
Exhibit 99.1
DESCRIPTION OF REGULATION AND LICENSING
The gaming industry is highly regulated, and we must maintain our licenses and pay gaming taxes to continue our operations. Each of our casinos is subject to extensive regulation under the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which it is located. These laws and regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners, managers, and persons with financial interest in the gaming operations. Violations of laws in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. Any material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our business and operating results.
In addition to gaming regulations, our businesses are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations of the countries and states in which we operate. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, smoking, environmental matters, employment and immigration, currency transactions, taxation, zoning and building codes, land use, marketing and advertising, lending, privacy, telemarketing, regulations applicable under the Office of Foreign Asset Control, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Any material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Gaming Regulation Overview
In the jurisdictions in which we operate, gaming laws and regulations require, among other things:
•the prevention of unsavory or unsuitable persons from having direct or indirect involvement with gaming at any time or in any capacity;
•the establishment and maintenance of responsible accounting practices and procedures;
•the maintenance of effective controls over the financial practices of licensees, including the establishment of minimum internal control procedures for internal fiscal affairs and the safeguarding of assets and revenues;
•reliable record keeping and the filing of periodic reports with our gaming regulators;
•the prevention of cheating and fraudulent practices;
•the qualification, licensing or registration of certain employees, vendors and other persons with a financial interest in or control or influence over gaming operations;
•the payment of gaming taxes, licensing fees and other regulatory fees;
•maintenance of responsible gaming programs; and
•compliance with community benefits agreements in our host and surrounding communities, where applicable.
Typically, regulatory environments in the jurisdictions in which we operate are established by legislation and are administered by a regulatory agency or agencies with the authority to interpret their gaming enabling legislation and regulations promulgated thereunder and have broad discretion and authority to regulate the affairs of owners, managers, and persons with financial interests in gaming operations. Gaming regulators in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, among other things:
•adopt regulations under their gaming enabling legislation;
•investigate and enforce gaming laws and regulations;
•impose disciplinary sanctions for violations, including fines and penalties;
•review the character and fitness of participants in gaming operations and make determinations regarding their suitability or qualification for licensure;
•grant licenses for participation in gaming operations;
•collect and review reports and information submitted by participants in gaming operations;
•review and approve transactions, such as acquisitions or change-of-control transactions of gaming industry participants, securities offerings and debt transactions engaged in by such participants; and
•establish and collect taxes and fees.
Any changes in the laws, regulations, and supervisory procedures of a gaming jurisdiction in which we operate could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Licensing, Suitability and Qualification Determinations
Gaming laws and regulations require us, each of our subsidiaries engaged in gaming operations, certain of our directors, officers and employees, and in some cases, certain of our shareholders and holders of our debt securities, to obtain licenses or findings of suitability or qualification from gaming regulators. Licenses or findings of suitability or qualification typically require a determination that the applicant satisfies specific criteria set forth in the applicable gaming laws and regulations. Gaming regulators have broad discretion in determining whether an applicant qualifies for licensing or should be deemed suitable or qualified. Subject to certain administrative proceeding requirements, gaming regulators have the authority to deny any application or limit, condition, restrict, revoke or suspend any license, registration, finding of suitability, qualification or approval, or fine any person licensed, registered or found suitable or approved, for any cause deemed reasonable by the gaming regulator. The criteria used in determining whether to grant or renew a license or finding of suitability or qualification vary from jurisdiction-to-jurisdiction but generally include such factors as:
•the good character, honesty and integrity of the applicant;
•the financial stability, integrity and responsibility of the applicant, including whether the gaming operation in the jurisdiction is adequately capitalized to pay winning wagers as and when due, meet ongoing operating expenses, pay all local, state and federal taxes as and when due, make necessary capital and maintenance expenditures in a timely manner, and make all long-term and short-term debt payments and satisfy capital lease obligations as and when due;
•the quality of the applicant’s gaming facility and non-gaming amenities;
•the total amount of the investment in the applicant’s gaming facility and non-gaming amenities;
•the effect on competition and the general impact on the host and surrounding communities;
•the amount of revenue to be derived by the applicable jurisdiction through the operation of the applicant’s gaming facility; and
•the applicant’s practices with respect to minority and local hiring and training of its workforce.
In evaluating individual applicants, gaming regulators consider, among other things, the individual’s good character, honesty and integrity, financial stability, criminal and financial history, and the character of those with whom the individual associates.
Many jurisdictions limit the number of licenses granted to operate gaming facilities within the jurisdiction, and some jurisdictions limit the number of licenses granted to any one gaming operator. For example, in Maryland, state law allows us to hold an interest in only one video lottery operation. Licenses under gaming laws are generally not transferable, although some jurisdictions permit a transfer with the prior approval of the jurisdiction’s gaming regulator(s). Licenses in many of the jurisdictions in which we conduct gaming operations are granted for limited durations and require renewal from time to time. There can be no assurance that any of our licenses will be renewed.
A gaming license is generally a revocable privilege. Many jurisdictions have statutory or regulatory provisions that govern the required action that may be taken in the event that a license is revoked or not renewed. For example, under New Jersey gaming laws, a conservator may be appointed by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (“NJCCC”) to assume complete operational control of the casino and the approved hotel facility upon the revocation of a casino license, and the conservator may, at the direction of the NJCCC and after appropriate prior consultation with the former licensee as to the reasonableness of such terms and conditions, endeavor to and be authorized to sell, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of in bulk, subject to any and all valid liens, claims, and encumbrances, all the property of a former licensee relating to the casino and the approved hotel.
In addition to us and our direct and indirect subsidiaries engaged in gaming operations, gaming regulators may investigate any individual or entity having a material relationship to, or material involvement with, any of these entities to determine whether such individual is suitable or should be licensed as a business associate of a gaming licensee. Certain jurisdictions require that any change in our directors or officers, including the directors or officers of our subsidiaries, must be approved by the requisite gaming regulator(s). Our officers, directors and certain key employees must also file applications with gaming regulators and may be required to be licensed or be found suitable or qualified in many jurisdictions. Gaming regulators have broad discretion to deny an application for licensing. Qualification and suitability determinations require submission of detailed personal and financial information followed by a thorough background investigation. The applicant has the burden of demonstrating suitability or qualification for licensure, and the applicant ordinarily must pay all the costs of the investigation. In addition to a gaming regulator’s authority to deny an application for licensure or a finding of suitability or qualification, gaming regulators also generally have the authority to condition or limit licensure or a finding of suitability or qualification, or disapprove of a change in an individual’s corporate position.
If a gaming regulator finds that an officer, director or key employee fails to qualify or is unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with us, we would ordinarily have to sever all relationships with such person. In addition, gaming regulators may require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications.
In many jurisdictions, any of our shareholders or holders of our debt securities may be required to file an application, be investigated, and qualify or have his, her or its suitability determined. For example, under Nevada gaming laws, any beneficial holder of our voting securities, regardless of the number of shares owned, may be required to file an application, be investigated, and have his or her suitability as a beneficial holder of the voting securities determined if either the Nevada Gaming Commission (the “NGC”) has reason to believe that such ownership would otherwise be inconsistent with the declared policies of the State of Nevada, or the person engages in certain statutorily proscribed activities which influence or affect the affairs of a holding company of a Nevada gaming licensee. The applicant must pay all costs of investigation incurred by the NGC and the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) in conducting any such investigation.
Furthermore, any person required by a gaming regulator to be found suitable, who is found unsuitable by the gaming regulator, shall not be able to hold directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of any voting security or the beneficial or record ownership of any nonvoting security or any debt security of any public corporation which is registered with the gaming regulator (or otherwise subject to a finding of suitability or qualification as holding company of a gaming licensee), such as MGM Resorts International, beyond the time prescribed by the gaming regulator. A finding of unsuitability by a particular gaming regulator impacts that person’s ability to associate or affiliate with gaming licensees in that particular jurisdiction and could impact the person’s ability to associate or affiliate with gaming licensees in other jurisdictions.
Many jurisdictions also require any person who acquires beneficial ownership of more than a certain percentage of our voting securities and, in some jurisdictions, our non-voting securities, typically 5%, to report the acquisition to gaming regulators, and gaming regulators may require such holders to apply for qualification or a finding of suitability. For example, Nevada gaming laws require any person who acquires more than 5% of any class of our voting securities to report the acquisition to the NGC. Additionally, Nevada gaming laws require that beneficial owners of more than 10% of any class of our voting securities apply to the NGC for a finding of suitability within 30 days after the Chair of the NGCB mails the written notice requiring such filing.
However, many jurisdictions permit an “institutional investor” to apply for a waiver that allows the “institutional investor” to acquire, in many cases, up to 15% of our voting securities without applying for qualification or a finding of suitability. The gaming laws and regulations of a particular jurisdiction typically define who may be considered an “institutional investor,” and typically provide particular categories of persons who may be considered such an investor, e.g., a retirement fund administered by a public agency for the exclusive benefit of federal, state, or local public employees; investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. § 80a-1 et seq.); licensed life insurance company or property and casualty insurance company; banking and other chartered or licensed lending institution; and investment advisor registered under The Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. § 80b-1 et seq.). Additionally, a person satisfying the applicable “institutional investor” definition must also generally have acquired and hold the securities in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor, and not for the purpose of causing, directly or indirectly, the election of a majority of the members of our board of directors, any change in our corporate charter, bylaws, management, policies or operations, or those of any of our gaming affiliates, or the taking of any other action which gaming regulators find to be inconsistent with holding our voting securities for investment purposes only. An application for a waiver as an institutional investor generally requires the submission of detailed information about the company and its regulatory filings, the name of each person that beneficially owns more than 5% of the institutional investor’s securities or other equivalent and a certification made under oath or penalty for perjury, that the securities were acquired and are held for investment purposes only. Even if a waiver is granted, an institutional investor generally may not take any action inconsistent with its status when the waiver was granted without once again becoming subject to the foregoing reporting and application obligations. A change in the investment intent of an institutional investor must be reported to certain gaming regulators immediately if such investment intent changes.
Generally, any person who beneficially owns our voting securities and fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or qualification within the time prescribed by applicable law after being ordered to do so, or who refuses or fails to cooperate with any regulatory investigation or fails to pay the investigative costs incurred in connection with investigation of its application, may be found unsuitable or not qualified. The same restrictions apply to a record owner if the record owner, after request, fails to identify the beneficial owner. Any security holder found unsuitable and who holds, directly or indirectly, any beneficial ownership of our common stock beyond such period of time as may be prescribed by the applicable gaming regulators may be guilty of a criminal offense. We will be subject to disciplinary action if, after we receive notice that a person is unsuitable to be a shareholder or to have any other relationship with us or any of our subsidiaries, we or any of our subsidiaries:
•pay that person any dividend or interest upon any of our voting securities;
•allow that person to exercise, directly or indirectly, any voting right conferred through securities held by that person;
•pay remuneration in any form to that person for services rendered or otherwise; or
•fail to pursue all lawful efforts to require such unsuitable person to relinquish his or her voting securities including if necessary, the immediate purchase of the voting securities for cash at fair market value.
Gaming regulators may, either as required by applicable law or in their discretion, also require the holder of any debt security to file an application, be investigated, and be found suitable or qualified to hold the debt security. In such cases, some jurisdictions permit the holder to seek an institutional investor waiver in accordance with applicable law. If a gaming regulator determines that a person is unsuitable or not qualified to own the debt security, the gaming regulator may, either as required by applicable law or in its discretion, limit the ability of the issuer to pay any dividend, interest, or any other distribution whatsoever to the unsuitable or not qualified person.
Many jurisdictions also require that manufacturers and distributors of gaming equipment and suppliers of certain goods and services to gaming industry participants be registered or licensed and require us to purchase and lease gaming equipment, supplies and services only from properly registered or licensed suppliers.
Additionally, the ability of a lender to foreclose on pledged assets, including gaming equipment, is subject to compliance with applicable gaming laws. For example, under New Jersey gaming laws, generally, no person is permitted to hold an ownership interest in or manage a casino or own any gaming assets, including gaming devices, without being licensed. Consequently, any lender who desires to enforce a security interest must file the necessary applications for licensure, be investigated, and either be found qualified by the NJCCC or obtain interim casino authorization (“ICA”) prior to obtaining any ownership interest. Similarly, any prospective purchaser of an ownership interest in a casino or of gaming assets must file the necessary applications for licensure, be investigated, and either found qualified by the NJCCC or obtain ICA prior to obtaining any ownership interest or gaming assets.
Violations of Gaming Laws
If we or our subsidiaries violate applicable gaming laws or regulations, our gaming licenses could be limited, conditioned, suspended or revoked by gaming regulators, and we and any other persons involved could be subject to substantial fines. Additionally, a trustee, conservator or other person can be appointed by gaming regulators to operate our gaming properties, or in some jurisdictions, take title to our gaming assets in the jurisdiction, and under certain circumstances, earnings generated during such appointment could be forfeited to the applicable jurisdictions, or even sell the gaming assets if the gaming license for that property is revoked or not renewed. Violations of gaming laws or regulations in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. As a result, violations by us of applicable gaming laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, prospects and results of operations.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
We are required periodically to submit detailed financial and operating reports and furnish any other information about us and our subsidiaries which gaming regulators may require. In some jurisdictions, regulators have authority to compel the production of documents or inspect records maintained on the premises of the casino. Under federal law, we are required to record and submit detailed reports of currency transactions involving greater than $10,000 at our casinos and Suspicious Activity Reports if the facts presented so warrant. Some jurisdictions also require the maintenance of a log that records aggregate cash transactions in particular amounts. We are required to maintain a current stock ledger which may be examined by gaming regulators at any time. We may also be required to disclose to gaming regulators upon request the identities of the holders of our equity, debt or other securities. If any securities are held in trust by an agent or by a nominee, the record holder may be required to disclose the identity of the beneficial owner to gaming regulators. Failure to make such disclosure may be grounds for finding the record holder unsuitable. Gaming regulators may also require certificates for our stock or that of one or more of our subsidiaries to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to specified gaming laws or transfer restrictions. In certain jurisdictions, gaming regulators have the power to impose additional restrictions on the holders of our securities at any time.
Review and Approval of Transactions
Substantially all material loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions by us and our subsidiaries must be reported to, or approved by, gaming regulators. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may make a public offering of securities without the prior approval of certain gaming regulators if the securities or the proceeds therefrom are intended to be used to construct, acquire or finance gaming facilities in such jurisdictions, or to retire or extend obligations incurred for such purposes. Such approval, if given, does not constitute a recommendation or approval of the investment merits of the securities subject to the offering. Changes in control through merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisitions, management or consulting agreements, or otherwise, require prior approval of gaming regulators in certain jurisdictions. Entities seeking to acquire control of us or one of our subsidiaries must satisfy gaming regulators with respect to a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control. Gaming regulators may also require controlling stockholders, officers, directors and other persons having a material relationship or involvement with the entity proposing to acquire control to be investigated and licensed as part of the approval process relating to the transaction.
Certain gaming laws and regulations in jurisdictions we operate in establish that certain corporate acquisitions opposed by management, repurchases of voting securities and corporate defensive tactics affecting us or our subsidiaries may be injurious to stable and productive corporate gaming, and as a result, prior approval may be required before we may make exceptional repurchases of voting securities (such as repurchases which treat holders differently) above the current market price and before a corporate acquisition opposed by management can be consummated. In certain jurisdictions, the gaming regulators also require prior approval of a plan of recapitalization proposed by the board of directors of a publicly traded corporation which is registered with the gaming authority in response to a tender offer made directly to the registered corporation’s stockholders for the purpose of acquiring control of the registered corporation.
Because licenses under gaming laws are generally not transferable, we may not grant a security interest in our gaming licenses, and our ability to grant a security interest in any of our gaming assets is limited and may be subject to receipt of prior approval from gaming regulators. A pledge of the stock or other equity interest in a subsidiary holding a gaming license and the foreclosure of such a pledge may be ineffective without the prior approval of gaming regulators in certain jurisdictions. Moreover, our subsidiaries holding gaming licenses may be unable to guarantee a security issued by an affiliated or parent company pursuant to a public offering, or pledge their assets to secure payment of the obligations evidenced by the security issued by an affiliated or parent company, without the prior approval of certain gaming regulators.
Some jurisdictions also require us to file a report or notice with the gaming regulator within a prescribed period of time following certain financial transactions or the transfer or offering of certain securities. Were they to deem it appropriate, certain gaming regulators reserve the right to order such transactions rescinded.
Certain jurisdictions require the establishment of a compliance committee with one or more independent members and the implementation of a compliance review and reporting system or plan created for the purpose of monitoring activities related to our continuing qualification. These plans generally require periodic reports to senior management of our company and to our gaming regulators.
Certain jurisdictions require that an independent audit committee oversee the functions of surveillance and internal audit departments at our casinos.
License Fees and Gaming Taxes
We pay substantial license fees, contributions to responsible gaming programs, and taxes in many jurisdictions, including the counties, cities, and any related agencies, boards, commissions, or authorities, in which our operations are conducted, in connection with our casino gaming operations, computed in various ways depending on the type of gaming or activity involved. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable either daily, monthly, quarterly or annually. License fees and taxes are based upon such factors as:
• a percentage of the gross revenues received;
• the number of gaming devices and table games operated; and
• the particular county in which the casino is located.
A live entertainment tax is also paid in certain jurisdictions by casino operations where entertainment is furnished in connection with the selling or serving of food or refreshments or the selling of merchandise. The tax rates applicable to our business and operations are subject to change.
Operational Requirements
In many jurisdictions, we are subject to certain requirements and restrictions on how we must conduct our gaming operations. In some jurisdictions, we are required to make a good faith effort to procure goods and services from local suppliers and minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses in connection with our construction projects.
Some jurisdictions also require us to make a good faith effort to meet workforce diversity and local labor participation goals in our operations and to procure goods and services from local suppliers and minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses.
Some of our gaming operations are subject to hours of operations restrictions. Additionally, some of our operations are subject to restrictions on the number of gaming positions we may have.
In 1994, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted a regulation requiring as a condition of licensure or license renewal that a gaming establishment’s plan include a 500-car parking facility in close proximity to the casino complex and infrastructure facilities which will amount to at least 25% of the casino cost. Amendments to the Mississippi gaming regulations impose additional non-gaming infrastructure requirements on new casino projects in Mississippi. To the extent applicable, our Mississippi casinos are in compliance with these regulations.
In addition, our gaming operations are subject to cybersecurity requirements in some jurisdictions. For example, the Nevada Gaming Commission enacted a cybersecurity regulation in December 2022, which requires us to conduct a risk assessment to development cybersecurity best practices by December 31, 2023 and designate an individual to be responsible for cybersecurity, as well as to have our independent accountant annually review of the cybersecurity best practices we develop. The Nevada regulation also provides for reporting obligations to the Nevada Gaming Control Board in the event we experience a cyber attack.
Racetracks
We operate Yonkers Raceway, a standardbred harness racing track, and Empire City Casino, a video lottery gaming operation, in Yonkers, New York. The operations are regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission. We also operate Northfield Park, a standardbred harness racing track, and MGM Northfield Park, a video lottery gaming operation, in Northfield, Ohio. The racing operations are regulated by the Ohio State Racing Commission, and the video lottery gaming operations are regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission. In addition to laws and regulations affecting the video lottery operations at these tracks, there exist extensive laws and regulations governing the operation of racetracks, the horse races that are run at those tracks, and pari-mutuel wagering conducted at the tracks. Regulation of horse racing is typically administered separately from our other gaming operations, with separate licenses and license fee structures. Racing regulations may limit or dictate the number of days on which races may be or must
be held. Additionally, in both New York and Ohio, the video lottery operations are contingent upon us holding a valid license to hold live horse racing meets at each racing track.
Online Gaming and Sports Betting
In 2013, Nevada legalized real money online poker within the State. The NGC then adopted regulations and established licensing requirements for the operation of real money online poker within the State. In 2013, New Jersey also legalized real money online casino gaming within the State. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (“NJDGE”) then adopted regulations and established licensing requirements for the operation of real money online casino gaming in the State. Marina District Development Company, LLC (“MDDC”), our New Jersey subsidiary that operates Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, has been issued an Internet Gaming Permit for real money online gaming in New Jersey.
In 2017, Mississippi legalized on-premises sports betting at licensed casinos subject to the prior approval of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission (“MGC”). In June 2018, the MGC adopted regulations for the operation of sports books at licensed casinos in Mississippi. The regulations also permit mobile betting if the player is physically located within a casino and hotel facility approved by the Executive Director. In July 2018, our Mississippi operating subsidiary, Beau Rivage Resorts, LLC, obtained approval from the Executive Director to offer sports betting at the casino property, and its sports book began operations on August 1, 2018.
In 2018, New Jersey legalized on-premises and online sports betting conducted by licensed casinos and existing and certain former horse race tracks. The regulation of sports betting in New Jersey is similar to the manner in which the NJDGE regulates online casino gaming and casinos. The NJDGE regulates the types of wagers that may be placed, but in-play wagering may be permitted. However, wagering on certain events, such as collegiate events in which New Jersey colleges participate, is prohibited. A casino licensed to offer online sports betting currently may offer no more than three individually branded websites. MDDC has been issued a Sports Wagering License for on-premises sports betting at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and online sports betting in New Jersey.
In 2019, Michigan legalized real money online casino gaming and online sports betting for commercial and Indian casinos within the State. On-premises sports betting commenced on March 11, 2020 under regulations promulgated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Online sports betting and casino gaming commenced on January 22, 2021.
In November 2020, Maryland legalized on-premises sports betting to be conducted by licensed casinos and authorized licensees. On-premises sports betting commenced on December 9, 2021, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
In December 2021, Ohio legalized on-premises and online sports betting to be conducted by licensed casinos, racinos, authorized licensees and online platform sports betting providers. On-premises and online sports betting commenced on January 1, 2023, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
In August 2022, Massachusetts legalized on-premises and online sports betting to be conducted by licensed casinos, racinos and online platform sports betting providers. On-premises sports betting commenced on January 31, 2023 pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Online sports betting is tentatively scheduled to commence in early March 2023.
The gaming and other laws and regulations to which we are subject could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Any such material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our business and operating results. For example, in 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) reversed its previously-issued opinion published in 2011, which stated that interstate transmissions of wire communications that do not relate to a “sporting event or contest” fall outside the purview of the Wire Act of 1961 (“Wire Act”). The DOJ’s updated opinion concluded instead that the Wire Act was not uniformly limited to gaming relating to sporting events or contests and that certain of its provisions apply to non-sports-related wagering activity. In June 2019, a federal district court in New Hampshire ruled that the DOJ’s new interpretation of the Wire Act was erroneous and vacated the DOJ’s new opinion. The DOJ appealed the decision of the district court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In January 2021, the Court of Appeals largely affirmed the district court’s decision finding that the Wire Act applies only to interstate wire communications related to “sporting events or contests”.
Macau S.A.R. Laws and Regulations
MGM Grand Paradise is regulated as a gaming operator under applicable Macau law and our ownership interest in MGM Grand Paradise is subject to continuing regulatory scrutiny. We are required to be approved by the Macau government (gaming authorities) to own an interest in a gaming operator. Authorized gaming operators must pay periodic fees and taxes, and gaming rights are not transferable, unless approved by the Macau government. MGM Grand Paradise must periodically submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Macau gaming authorities and furnish any other information that the Macau gaming authorities may require.
On April 19, 2005, MGM Grand Paradise, was granted a 15-year gaming subconcession, commencing on April 20, 2005 and expiring on March 31, 2020. The subconcession was successively extended to June 26, 2022 and December 31, 2022. In the second half of 2022, the Macau government conducted an international tender process for gaming concessions in Macau to which MGM Grand Paradise submitted its tender and on November 26, 2022, MGM Grand Paradise was provisionally awarded a gaming
concession, commencing on January 1, 2023 and expiring on December 31, 2032. On December 16, 2022, MGM Grand Paradise received the final award of the gaming concession and the concession contract was executed between the Macau government and MGM Grand Paradise. The gaming subconcession of MGM Grand Paradise expired on December 31, 2022.
Under the concession contract, no person may acquire any rights over the shares or assets of MGM Grand Paradise without first obtaining the approval of the Macau gaming authorities. The transfer or creation of encumbrances over ownership of shares representing the share capital of MGM Grand Paradise or other rights relating to such shares, and any act involving the granting of voting rights or other stockholders’ rights to persons or entities other than the original owners, would require the approval of the Macau government and the subsequent report of such acts and transactions to the Macau gaming authorities. The stock of MGM Grand Paradise and its casinos, assets and equipment shall not be subject to any liens or encumbrances, except under authorization by the Macau government.
MGM Grand Paradise’s concession contract requires approval of the Macau government for transfers of shares, or of any rights over such shares, in any of the direct or indirect stockholders in MGM Grand Paradise, including us, holding shares or rights that are directly or indirectly equivalent to an amount that is equal to or higher than 5% of the share capital in MGM Grand Paradise. Under the concession contract, this approval requirement does not apply to securities that are listed and tradable on a stock market.
The Macau government must also give their prior approval to changes in control of MGM Grand Paradise through a merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisition, management or consulting agreement or any act or conduct by any person whereby he or she obtains control. Entities seeking to acquire control of a registered corporation must satisfy the Macau government concerning a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control.
The concession contract requires the Macau government's prior approval of any recapitalization plan, any increase of the capital stock by public subscription, any issue of preferential shares or any creation, issue or transformation of types or series of shares representative of MGM Grand Paradise capital stock, as well as any change in the constituent documents (i.e., articles of association) of MGM Grand Paradise. The Chief Executive of Macau could also require MGM Grand Paradise to increase its share capital if he deemed it necessary.
The Macau gaming authorities may investigate any individual who has a material relationship to, or material involvement with, MGM Grand Paradise to determine whether MGM Grand Paradise’s suitability and/or financial capacity is affected by that individual. MGM Grand Paradise shareholders with 5% or more of the share capital and directors must apply for and undergo a finding of suitability process and maintain due qualification during the concession term, and accept the persistent and long-term inspection and supervision exercised by the Macau government. MGM Grand Paradise is required to immediately notify the Macau government should MGM Grand Paradise become aware of any fact that may be material to the appropriate qualification of any shareholder who owns 5% or more of the share capital, or any director or key employee. Changes in approved corporate positions must be reported to the Macau gaming authorities. The Macau gaming authorities have jurisdiction to deny an application for a finding of suitability.
The Macau gaming authorities also have the power to supervise gaming operators in order to assure the financial stability of corporate gaming operators and their affiliates.
MGM Macau and MGM Cotai were constructed by MGM Grand Paradise and are operated under MGM Grand Paradise’s concession contract. The concession excludes the following gaming activities: mutual bets, gaming activities provided to the public, interactive gaming and games of chance or other gaming, betting or gambling activities on ships or planes. MGM Grand Paradise’s concession is exclusively governed by Macau law. MGM Grand Paradise is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Macau in case of any potential dispute or conflict relating to our concession.
MGM Grand Paradise’s concession contract expires on December 31, 2032. Unless the concession is extended, on that date, the casino area premises and gaming related equipment in MGM Macau and MGM Cotai, excluding the casino area premises and gaming related equipment previously reverted to the Macau government at the end of the subconcession, on December 31, 2022, of which the right of use was granted to MGM Grand Paradise for its operation under the concession contract, effective from January 1, 2023, will automatically be transferred to the Macau government without compensation to MGM Grand Paradise and MGM Resorts International will cease to generate any revenues from these operations.
Beginning on January 1, 2030, the Macau government may redeem the concession by giving MGM Grand Paradise at least one year prior notice and by paying fair compensation or indemnity. In the event the Macau Government exercises this redemption right, MGM Grand Paradise is entitled to reasonable and fair damages or indemnity. Pursuant to the concession contract, the amount of such compensation or indemnity shall correspond to the benefits that MGM Grand Paradise no longer receives as a result of the redemption from the projects included in the investment plan under the concession contract. With regards to construction investments, the compensation shall correspond to the income generated by such construction investments in the previous year before deduction of interest, depreciation and amortization, and multiplied by the number of remaining years until the end of the term of the concession contract.
The Macau government also has the right to unilaterally terminate, without compensation to MGM Grand Paradise, the concession at any time upon the occurrence of fundamental non-compliance by MGM Grand Paradise with applicable Macau laws or MGM Grand Paradise’s basic obligations under the concession contract. If the default is curable, the Macau gaming authorities are required to give MGM Grand Paradise prior notice to cure the default, though no specific cure period for that purpose is provided.
Under the concession, MGM Grand Paradise Limited is obligated to pay to the Macau S.A.R. an annual premium with a fixed portion and a variable portion based on the number and type of gaming tables employed and gaming machines operated. The fixed portion of the premium is equal to MOP 30 million (approximately $3.7 million, based on exchange rates at December 31, 2022). The variable portion is equal to MOP 300,000 per gaming table reserved exclusively for certain kinds of games or players, MOP 150,000 per gaming table not so reserved and MOP 1,000 per electrical or mechanical gaming machine, including slot machines (approximately $37,334, $18,667 and $124, respectively, based on exchange rates at December 31, 2022). The variable premium shall not be less than the amount payable with respect to the operation of 500 gaming tables and 1,000 electrical or mechanical gaming machines, including slot machines.
MGM Grand Paradise Limited also has to pay a special gaming tax of 35% of gross gaming revenues and applicable withholding taxes. The Macau government determined that the minimum annual gross gaming revenue per gaming table is MOP 7 million (approximately $0.9 million, based on exchange rates at December 31, 2022); the minimum annual gross gaming revenue per electric or mechanical gaming machines, including slot machines, is MOP 300,000 (approximately $37,334, based on exchange rates at December 31, 2022). If the average gross revenue arising from the operation of gaming tables or electric or mechanical gaming machines, including slot machines, do not reach the minimum limit fixed by order of the Macau government, the concessionaire will have to pay a special premium, in the amount corresponding to the difference between the amounts of the special gaming tax payable on the average gross revenue, and the one that would be payable if this minimum limit had been achieved. The average gross revenue is calculated according to the maximum number of gaming tables and electric or mechanical gaming machines, including slot machines, authorized for the concessionaire in the year to which it relates, with the exception of the number of gaming tables and electric or mechanical gaming machines, including slot machines authorized to operate temporarily.
MGM Grand Paradise Limited is also subject to the following additional levies: annual payment in an amount corresponding to 2% of gross gaming revenue which will be given to a public foundation whose object is the promotion, development or study of cultural, social, economic, educational, scientific, academic, and charity activities; and annual payment in an amount corresponding to 3% of gross gaming revenue which will be used for urban development and construction, promotion of tourism and social security. The Macau Government may grant a reduction or exemption from the payment of the additional levies for reasons of public interest, namely for expansion of overseas customer markets, pursuant to terms to be defined under supplementary regulations.
Currently, the gaming tax in Macau is calculated as a percentage of gross gaming revenue. However, gross gaming revenue does not include deductions for credit losses. As a result, if MGM Grand Paradise issues markers to its customers in Macau and is unable to collect on the related receivables from them, it has to pay taxes on its winnings from these customers even though it was unable to collect the related receivables.
MGM Grand Paradise has received from the Macau government a concession to use a 10.67 acre parcel of land for MGM Macau (the “MGM Macau Land Contract”), and a concession to use an approximately 17.75 acre site parcel of land for MGM Cotai (the “MGM Cotai Land Contract”). The land concessions will expire on April 6, 2031 and on January 8, 2038, respectively, and are renewable. MGM Grand Paradise is obligated to pay rent annually for the term of the MGM Macau Land Contract and of the MGM Cotai Land Contract. The rent amounts may be revised every five years by the Macau government, according to the provisions of the Macau Land law.
MGM Grand Paradise received an exemption from Macau’s corporate income tax on profits generated by the operation of casino games of chance for a period of five-years starting at January 1, 2007. In October 2011, MGM Grand Paradise was granted an extension of this exemption for an additional five years. The exemption was further extended on September 7, 2016 through March 31, 2020, and further extended again on March 24, 2020 effective from April 1, 2020 through June 26, 2022 and further extended on September 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.