Macau to Review Casino Operators’ Investment Commitments

Macau chief executive Sam Hou Fai stated that the government intends to assess the progress made by the city’s six casino operators on the gaming and non-gaming investments they committed to in their concession contracts, with the review covering the period from 2023 to 2025.

Macau Wants Updates on Investments

Back in December 2022, the Macau government granted new gaming licenses to its six casino operators. In return, Sands, Galaxy, Wynn, MGM, Melco, and SJM committed to investing billions of dollars in resort upgrades and expansions, with most of the funding required to be directed toward non-gaming projects.

During his 2026 Policy Address to the Legislative Assembly, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai emphasized that a key priority for the coming year will be ensuring that casino operators meet their investment obligations. Since the 2022 tender process, each casino operator has been required to submit implementation reports to the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government detailing the investments made in the previous year and outlining their plans for the year ahead.

According to Inside Asian Gaming, Sam stated that the government will review the concessionaires’ investment projects and funding allocations in both gaming and non-gaming areas for the period from 2023 to 2025, as well as their fulfillment of social responsibilities and compliance with legal and contractual requirements. He also urged the operators to honor their concession commitments, advance both gaming and non-gaming investments, and further develop diversified tourism projects and offerings.

Operators Say They’ve Already Committed a Lot to Macau’s Economy

Macau’s six gaming operators have committed to investing roughly $19.3 billion, with more than $16 billion earmarked for non-gaming projects. Nearly three years after receiving their 2022 licenses, several operators say they have already fulfilled their investment commitments. They report renovating thousands of hotel rooms, funding sports and K-pop initiatives, and developing an array of family-oriented attractions.

The government aims for non-gaming attractions to contribute 60% of Macau’s gross domestic product by 2028. Currently, the SAR still gets most of its foreign revenue from the gaming industry. It’s expected that Macau’s November revenue will surpass $2.5 billion. 

Macau’s 2025 fiscal budget amendment bill projects annual gaming tax revenue of MOP 79.8 billion ($9.87 billion). The government lowered its gross gaming revenue estimate from MOP 240 billion ($29.69 billion) to MOP 228 billion ($28.2 billion), citing global economic conditions and shifts in tourist spending patterns.

Economic analysts project GDP growth of approximately 2.6% for this year. Looking ahead to 2026, they remain “cautiously optimistic” about continued growth, despite global challenges such as the persistent risks of US trade tariffs.