Published on: November 20, 2025, 12:18h.
Updated on: November 19, 2025, 12:26h.
- Macau to assess casino investments in the upcoming year
- The six casino operators in the city committed to invest $16 billion in non-gaming projects
- This agreement was part of the new gaming licenses issued in 2022
In December 2022, the government of Macau agreed to issue fresh gaming licenses to its six casino operators. In return, Sands, Galaxy, Wynn, MGM, Melco, and SJM pledged multi-billion dollar investments focused largely on resort enhancements and expansions, with a considerable portion allocated to non-gaming ventures.
Under Beijing’s guidance, Macau utilized this relicensing process to drive investments aimed at attracting new visitors to the Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The six gaming companies have committed approximately $19.3 billion, out of which $16 billion is earmarked for off-gaming floor projects.
Nearly three years later, many casinos report that they have already fulfilled their investment obligations. Renovations of thousands of hotel rooms, investments in sports and K-pop, as well as development of family-oriented attractions have taken place.
Audits Proposed by Macau Chief Executive
In his 2026 Policy Address to the Legislative Assembly, Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai expressed a strong focus on ensuring that casinos meet their investment commitments.
“We will be reviewing the investment projects and their amounts by concessionaires in both the gaming and non-gaming sectors from 2023 to 2025, assessing their social responsibilities and adherence to legal obligations,” Sam mentioned, as reported by Inside Asian Gaming. “We encourage concessionaires to honor their contractual commitments, engaging in both gaming and non-gaming investments and diversifying tourism products.”
Since the 2022 tenders, every casino has been obligated to submit reports to the SAR government detailing their investment activities from the previous year and their plans for the following 12 months.
“The government does keep an eye on the investment landscape,” stated Tai Kin Ip, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, earlier this year.
Prospects for Macau
Macau is thriving, with its casinos—essential to the region’s economy—recording their best performance since the pandemic began. October marked the highest monthly casino revenue since October 2019, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) exceeding $3 billion.
Year-to-date, Macau’s GGR has increased by 8%. Over the past nine months, the six casinos have generated MOP15.28 billion (around US$1.9 billion) more in gaming revenue than in 2024.
Simultaneously, Macau is diversifying its economy, ensuring that casinos are not its sole attraction. Economic analysts predict a GDP growth of about 2.6% this year. Looking towards 2026, experts are “cautiously optimistic” regarding further growth, despite some global issues like ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
Despite this growth, the 2.6% projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates a decline from the previously anticipated 3.6%. The IMF noted that global trade concerns have moderated the expected results.