Macau, China, 29 Dec – The government of Macau collected 15.2 billion patacas in direct taxes on receipts from the territory’s casinos in the first 11 months of 2005, an annual increase of 15.8 percent, according to official figures.

Statistics released by the Financial Services Department show that gaming revenues accounted for 71.7 percent of total government receipts (21.2 billion patacas) from January to November.

Macau’s casinos currently pay 35 percent direct tax on their gross earnings.

Government receipts from Macau’s gaming sector in 2003 and 2004 rose by 33 percent and 45 percent respectively. (macauhub)