CLAIMS TO FAME
- Oversees Macau’s only licensed sports betting operator
It’s been a case of steady as she goes for Macau’s long-time monopoly sports betting operator. Macau Slot recorded revenues of HK$571 million (US$73.5 million) in 2023, with EBITDA of HK$195 million (US$25.1 million) – not bad given that under Macau law it can only offer betting on two sports, football and basketball.
That restriction also stymies significant growth, although the government did remove in 2021 its exclusivity clause while extending Macau Slot’s concession. Still, it’s unlikely any competition will move into the market unless more sports are allowed – good and bad news for CEO Stephen Ho who oversees an operation that remains reliably steady.
Founded in the mid-1980s under Stanley Ho’s STDM gambling empire, Macau Slot was granted Macau’s only franchise to accept betting on football in 1998, adding basketball two years later. In 2002, when the Macau SAR Government was handing out concessions to casino operators, Macau Slot became the holder of Macau’s only sports betting concession – a monopoly concession it has held until now.
