Las Vegas Sands is sharpening its focus on high-profile sports events to boost Macau’s image as a global entertainment destination, following the roaring success of its recent NBA showcase. During a media session, Sands President Patrick Dumont said the company intends to stage more world-class sports spectacles in Macau to attract new demographics, strengthen non-gaming revenue, and reinforce the city’s global tourism credentials. The move reflects a growing trend among Macau’s casino operators to diversify beyond gaming, in line with government expectations under the city’s renewed concession framework.
Macau once again shattered expectations in September 2025, with gaming tax collections reaching a new post-pandemic high of US 1.06 billion—a striking indicator of how the city’s casinos continue to anchor its fiscal recovery. According to recent reporting, this surge was driven by strong gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the period, despite headwinds like tropical storms and seasonal softness.
Philippines-based DigiPlus Interactive recently announced a temporary suspension of its newly launched Brazilian platform, GamePlus, after just three weeks in soft operation. The company says the decision was strategic: to take time to analyze early usage data, deepen its understanding of Brazilian preferences, and return with a more “locally relevant” product.
The 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix proved once again why it remains one of the city-state’s most powerful tourism and economic engines. Over 300,641 fans filled the Marina Bay Street Circuit across the three-day event — a sell-out crowd and an 11.7 percent jump from 2024’s attendance. Organizers noted that nearly 40 percent of spectators were international visitors, underlining the Grand Prix’s global magnetism and direct contribution to Singapore’s hospitality and retail sectors.
Despite an uptick in visitor arrivals during the Golden Week holiday, Macau’s retailers are voicing frustration: foot traffic hasn’t translated into meaningful sales. In the eight-day period from September 29 to October 6, Macau welcomed 1.14 million visitors, averaging 143,000 daily — a modest 1.9 percent year-on-year increase in arrivals. The record border crossings—5.54 million over the holiday stretch—did little to boost consumption in shopping districts.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 13/10/2025
