Full smoking ban inside Macau’s casinos could shove VIP clients to other gambling destination, study shows.

Six casino operators presented a study, conducted by a consulting firm KPMG, showing the negative chain effects of complete smoking ban in Macau.

According to research, VIP clients would reduce the frequency of their visit by 17% and length of stay by 24%. VIP to consider an alternative gaming destination where smoking is permitted would also increase by 32%. The study also concluded that Macau GDP could drop to 16% and could eventually impact the city’s social welfare for a reduced taxes that support public services, such as health and education.

Small and medium businesses will also be affected as 99.7% of Macau’s businesses consist of food and beverage and transportation.