MGM’s Kenneth Feng: NBA Games Can Lift Macau—but Only If Events Stay Deep and Durable

Kenneth Feng, President of MGM China, recently emphasized that the NBA preseason games scheduled in Macau this October stand to benefit all six casino operators in the enclave—not just those directly hosting the events. However, Feng cautioned that meaningful content and sustained programming must be at the core, or the effort risks being a flash in the pan.

Feng argued that high-caliber events like NBA games help amplify Macau’s non-gaming appeal, attracting higher-spending tourists and elevating the city’s global entertainment profile. He noted that past success stories—such as A-list concerts—have already delivered “spillover effects” to gaming revenues, and he expects similar outcomes from this NBA return. But Feng stressed it's not enough to simply host marquee names; the quality, relevance, and continuity of activity matter just as much.

One of the critical challenges, he observed, is avoiding superficiality. Events must not be built merely for optics—unless they deeply resonate with target audiences and are backed by strategic follow-through. In his view, the long game is to embed culture, sport, and entertainment into Macau’s DNA, so that future events don’t feel episodic but part of a rising trajectory. 

This reflects a wider trend in Macau’s strategy under its new gaming concession era: operators are under pressure to bolster non-gaming development, and government expectations increasingly favor diversification beyond casinos. Feng’s remarks echo similar calls from other industry leaders, including Sands, which has advocated for more sports tie-ups to stimulate visitor demand and broaden Macau’s tourism base.