In his 2025 Policy Address, Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said the government will guide the concessionaire to invest more resources in supporting key industrial projects in Macau and Hengqin.
Sam also pointed out that the government will promote the healthy and orderly development of the gaming industry in accordance with the law.
“The government will ensure that the gaming concessionaires strictly comply with the relevant laws and regulations of the gaming industry,” he said, adding “we will enhance the intelligent management of the industry and continue to promote responsible gaming.”
Among his key policy directions were for Macau to effectively implement the plan for the development of an appropriately diversified economy, accelerate the development of the Hengqin Deep Co-operation Zone and promote the development of the “1+4” diversified industries.
On his expectations of Macau’s six concessionaires, Sam said, “We will urge the gaming concessionaires to carry out non-gaming investments effectively and guide the concessionaires to put more resources into supporting key industrial projects in Macau and Hengqin, as well as brand-name projects that can help enhance Macau’s overall competitiveness.”
Under the current 10-year gaming concession contracts, the six concessionaires are required to invest a combined MOP108.8 billion (US$13.6 billion) into non-gaming elements from 1 January 2023 onwards. However, as per a stipulation in the agreements, this was raised by 20% to MOP$130.4 billion (US$16.3 billion) after the city’s gross gaming revenues reached MOP$180 billion (US$22.5 billion) in FY23.
Regarding non-gaming investment, Sam pointed out in his Policy Address that “we will establish sound indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of non-gaming investment projects and regularly review the overall performance of the gaming contracts.”
The current concession contracts also require concessionaires to develop international tourism. Sam said the government has been actively exploring international visitor sources, including markets such as Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America.
“The government has set up new Macau Economic, Trade, Tourism and Cultural Offices in Southeast and Northeast Asian countries and has joined hands with the concessionaires to enhance international marketing,” he explained.
This will include improvements to the route network of Macau International Airport, with the government to promote travel from countries and regions that do not currently have access to direct flights to Macau and must instead transit through neighboring regions. More international travelers will be attracted by air ticket discounts and cross-border transport concessions, Sam said.
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