Published on: October 8, 2024, 07:38h. 

Last updated on: October 8, 2024, 07:38h.

Adding more Las Vegas-style residency shows featuring international music artists could be just what Macau needs, according to Sam Hou-fai, the former top judge of the gambling hub and the expected next political leader.

Sam’s remarks came shortly after a story in the UK tabloid The Daily Mail mentioned that Adele had declined a $200 million offer to extend her global tour, which would have included a residency at an undisclosed Macau casino.

According to The Mail’s gossip columnist, Alison Boshoff, the tour would also have included stadium performances in Europe, Asia, and South America. However, the Macau show alone would have been valued at “nine figures” for the British singer.

This opportunity would have been “the biggest payday of her career,” as per Boshoff, who explained that Adele chose to prioritize spending time with her family.

Adele’s Desire for a Break

Casino.org cannot independently confirm the accuracy of the rumor, but it seems to have resonated with Sam after being widely circulated in the Macau media.

“I read that a famous UK singer, who previously had a residency show in Las Vegas for a certain period, was offered around US$200 million by a major entertainment gaming company in Macau to perform for potentially half a year or more,” Sam mentioned at a recent town hall meeting, as reported and translated by The South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Adele will have completed 100 shows at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace by the end of her two-year residency in November 2022. She has publicly expressed her need for a break.

While she [Adele] declined the offer to prioritize her family and children, could we not continue to promote a similar opportunity to establish a long-term operation?” Sam asked.

In recent years, Macau casino operators have toyed with the idea of residencies, typically featuring Hong Kong or K-Pop celebrities rather than global icons like Adele, who is popular in Asia but has not previously toured there.

The House of Dancing Waters, a longstanding show combining acrobatics and dance, is expected to make a comeback at the City of Dreams resort later this year following a four-year hiatus, as reported by SCMP.

Pressure to Expand

Under pressure from Beijing, the gambling hub is urged to diversify its economy beyond casino gaming and attract more foreign tourists from outside mainland China.

Sam, the upcoming Macau leader born in mainland China, is aligned with Beijing’s stance. He emphasized the necessity for the gambling hub to “reform and innovate” to tackle economic and political challenges. He criticized the casino industry for “straining the community’s resources” and limiting career options for young individuals.

Macau’s six casino licensees have committed to investing US$12.5 billion in non-gaming facilities as part of their recent re-licensing terms. Sam proposed that attracting top international talent could be a beneficial way to utilize these investments.