A Delaware-based company, representing the current President of the United States Donald Trump was reported to have filed 4 trademark applications in Macau under the President’s name, one of which is aiming to open a casino facility in the in the southern Chinese gambling Mecca.
On 7th June, online documents show that a company affiliated with Donald Trump filed 4 trademark applications in Macau, including one for “gambling and casino services and facilities”. This gave rise to speculations that the current US President and former casino owner is trying to enter the casino industry once again, but this time in the gambling hub Macau.
In fact, Trump’s relations with the gambling hub Macau are rooted as far back as 2005, when the local government registered 3 of his trademarks, including Donald J Trump, DTTM and Trump Companhia Limitada. Currently, there is not even a single casino facility in Macau affiliated or related to Trump’s name.
Up to date, there are 38 operating casinos in Macau, run by 6 different companies, which licenses are reported to expire in March 2020. It is not a secret that the proliferating casino industry in Macau is among the most lucrative markets. Thus, it is not a surprise that the news for the expiring licenses stimulated the appetite of many, who are eyeing the Chinese gambling capital for years. It seems that Trump is not an exception from the crowd, which is lining to grab a license for establishing a gambling facility in the area.
Considering the soon-to-expire casino licenses, the government needs to make it clear if the licenses of the current operators will be renewed, or the market will be opened for foreign bidders. Trump is eyeing Macau for long enough. It was reported that earlier this year, and more precisely in March, Donald Trump received an approval from the Chinese officials for 38 of his trademarks, including hotels and other entertainment facilities. Glenn McCartney, associate professor in international integrated resort management at the University of Macau explained that the registration of the trademarks does not mean that it will be, by all means, realized.
Prior to his political career, Trump was a renown casino owner, operating one of the most iconic gaming hubs in Atlantic City and more particularly Taj Mahal, which eventually filed bankruptcy. Earlier this year, the former Trump’s “8th Wonder of the World” was bought by Hard Rock International.
The Delaware-based company, operating under Trump’s name filed 4 trademark applications for expanding “Trump” brand in the Chinese gambling capital Macau. This raises speculations regarding Trump’s intention to turn back to his previous “career” of a casino operator. It is yet to become clear if Trump will manage to expand his brand on the Chinese shelves, but one thing is for sure – it will definitely influence the relations between the two countries.
