The 2026 packages offer tickets to preseason National Basketball Association (NBA) games staged by Sands China, in some cases close-up access to NBA players, and a hotel stay at its Londoner Macao property in Cotai.

The latest round of preseason ties staged in Macau will occur in October, with two matchups between Texas-based teams the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets.

The top-tier package cost this time is about 13 percent higher than in 2025. The next two tiers are about 33 percent higher in price, and the lowest-tier price is about 50 percent higher than in 2025.

The NBA China Games 2026 will be on October 9 and October 11 – a Friday and a Sunday – at the Venetian Arena of The Venetian Macao casino resort, just across the street from The Londoner Macao. In October last year, the Venetian Arena was host to the preseason matchups between the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns (pictured).

Sands China made available recently the NBA China Games 2026 Experience Packages, according to GGRAsia’s checks.

The top-tier 2026 package – branded “Hall of Fame” – gives access to backstage areas and the chance to dine with the “NBA Legends”, plus on-court photo opportunities. The Hall of Fame package costs HKD271,999 (US$34,695), 13.3 percent more than the same top tier in 2025.

The next tier for 2026 is “MVP”. It offers on-court photographs with players and access to the games’ backstage areas. The price is HKD79,999, or 33.3 percent higher than the same-branded tier in 2025. The novelties for that tier this time, are the backstage access and the offer of a higher-tier suite at Londoner Paiza Grand.

The Hall of Fame and MVP packages cover hotel stay, games and NBA Fan Day tickets for two people.

The third and fourth tiers of Sands China’s NBA packages are the “All Star” and “Rookie”. They are priced respectively at HKD19,999 and HKD14,999, but on a per-person basis. Both tiers offer access to a pre-game “hospitality lounge”, and an “NBA China Games Gift Bag”, in addition to a hotel stay, and food and drink service at The Londoner Macao complex.

The All Star package cost is 33.3 percent higher than the same-branded tier last year. The Rookie package price is 50.0 percent up the same-branded tier last year.

Sands China is an official partner of NBA China, and serves as promoter of the games, according to previously-released information from the casino company.

In December 2024 it emerged that Sands China and the NBA had signed a five-year agreement to stage preseason games in Macau. Under the deal, NBA was to host two such games per year at the Venetian Arena.

Analysts Praveen Choudhary and Stephen Grambling said in a Sunday note: “We expect 2026 GGR to grow by 5.3 percent year-on-year, below consensus expectations of 6 percent.” Morgan Stanley’s previous GGR growth forecast was also set at 6 percent.

They added, referring to their latest estimate: “Our forecasts imply quarterly GGR growth of only 2 percent to 3 percent year-on-year through fourth-quarter 2026.

“That said, June and July could see slowdowns related to the [FIFA] World Cup and might even post a negative year-on-year growth number.”

Morgan Stanley also revised downward its 2026 growth estimate for the sector’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), to “1 percent” from “2 percent” previously.

It also stated its “biggest changes” on EBITDA forecasts at individual-operator level were for Sands China Ltd and SJM Holdings Ltd, linked to its expectations for “weaker second-quarter EBITDA performances”.

Morgan Stanley forecasts full-year 2026 corporate EBITDA across the six Macau operators to come in at the equivalent of just under US$7.93 billion.

“We expect negative EBITDA estimate revisions to continue, driven by lower GGR growth expectations and a structurally-higher cost base,” stated the bank.

In a preview on second-quarter earnings season, due shortly, Morgan Stanley said regarding GGR market-share data for the three months to June 30: “Sands China Ltd and Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd are expected to have ceded market share during the quarter, while MGM China Ltd and Wynn Macau Ltd are seen gaining.”

The bank thinks Sands China’s GGR share will be down 2.6 percent sequentially, at 23.6 percent, with Melco Resorts likely to be down 0.8 percent sequentially, at 14.4 percent for the quarter.

For MGM China, Morgan Stanley anticipates a 17.0-percent quarterly share, up 1.2 percent, and for Wynn Macau Ltd, a 13.9-percent quarterly share of GGR, up 1.3 percent sequentially.

“Based on our market share assumptions, MGM China and Wynn Macau Ltd are projected to exceed consensus EBITDA estimates by circa 9 percent to 10 percent in second-quarter 2026,” stated Morgan Stanley.

The bank forecasts market-wide property EBITDA for the second quarter at just under US$2.08 billion, which would be circa 4.9 percent down sequentially on first-quarter’s reported circa US$2.19 billion. Judged year-on-year, that would make second-quarter property EBITDA roughly flat, said Morgan Stanley.

Assessing the implied growth required to meet full-year 2026 consensus EBITDA forecasts, Morgan Stanley stated: “MGM China and Wynn Macau Ltd screen as relatively lower risk due to their stronger first-half run-rates and positive revision potentials.”

The bank added: “Peers appear to face higher hurdles, with required growth appearing more back- ended and dependent on a recovery in share.”

The prefectural government announced on Wednesday a revision to the schedule for its IR district development process. The changes include extending the deadline for submission of participation statements to September 30, from the previous July 31 date. 

The competitive dialogue phase with interested parties will now run until next winter, rather than ending in September this year, while the deadline for submission of final proposals has been postponed from autumn this year to around the winter period.

According to the prefectural authorities, no participation statements had been received as of June 17.

The local government said multiple companies had approached the prefecture seeking additional time to examine the project’s business feasibility and formulate development plans before deciding whether to participate.

The schedule adjustment comes less than three months after Aichi formally launched the RFP process on April 1, seeking a private-sector partner for a proposed IR development. The proposed site is adjacent to Chubu Centrair International Airport and the Aichi Sky Expo convention facility.

As reported by GGRAsia in April, the RFP marked Aichi’s first formal step towards joining Japan’s second round of IR licensing. 

The next IR application window set by the national government – open to prefectures and so-called ordinance-level cities – is between May 6, 2027 and November 5, 2027. It allows local governments and their chosen private-sector partners to compete for up to two remaining casino resort licences. 

Japan’s only approved casino project is the JPY1.51-trillion (US$9.42-billion currently) MGM Osaka. It involves Osaka city and prefecture, and their commercial partners MGM Resorts International, Japan’s Orix Corp, and other local companies, and is due to be completed by the end of 2030.

Why does South Korea need a stronger commercial-IR sector?

Integrated resorts [IRs] are the most effective way to extend the stay of increasingly diverse global tourists and maximise their spending. Under current South Korean law, casinos are limited to under 5 percent of total floor area in an IR. But integrated resorts combining non-casino facilities such as shopping, MICE [meetings incentives, conferences and exhibitions], theme parks and luxury hotels can generate exponential spillover effects for local commercial districts and create real added value. In order to bring about and maximise these positive effects, it is important to introduce exceptional tax incentives for facility infrastructure investment and a government-wide one-stop administrative fast-track, thereby creating an environment in which overseas capital finds the South Korean market attractive and is willing to invest.

What’s your pitch to lawmakers and the public about South Korea staying competitive regionally in the IR sector?

South Korea’s casino industry has accumulated the most transparent and reliable operating know-how in Asia on the basis of strong regulation. At present, we are facing a major threat, but we will use this opportunity to find ways to make a further leap forward. We ask for continued attention to, and investment in, the future of South Korea’s casino industry as it transforms into a true global integrated entertainment hub.

What are the key constraints facing South Korea’s casino industry?

First, the industry needs greater autonomy in global marketing linked to K-tourism. Although South Korea’s foreigner-only casinos serve only overseas visitors, they still face major restrictions on overseas promotional activities because of the country’s conservative classification of gambling-related industries. As a first example, even when casinos seek to join overseas tourism fairs to promote attractive packages combining K-culture, MICE and K-food, they are often excluded from official national promotion channels or face strict limits on the distribution of promotional materials. Since casinos are high-value tourism content aimed solely at foreign visitors, these institutional barriers should be lowered so they can be marketed more actively abroad in synergy with other parts of the tourism sector.

Second, the industry needs more flexibility to adopt advanced IT [information technology] that improves transparency and personalised customer service. Global casino competitiveness increasingly depends on such technologies. Examples include RFID [radio frequency identification] smart-chip systems to track chip movements and help prevent money laundering; AI [artificial intelligence]-based casino management systems that analyse customer behaviour and play patterns; and modern electronic table games.

South Korea is already a global IT powerhouse, and the industry should be allowed to integrate these technologies more rapidly in order to enhance transparency, efficiency and service quality.

President Lee Jae Myung seems not to have a favourable view of casinos. What can you do to persuade him of their social benefits? 

The current government’s key policy priorities include export-led growth, balanced regional development and job creation for young people. We would stress that the casino integrated resort industry is well aligned with all of those objectives.

Compared with the past, the modern casino industry should be understood as an invisible but high value-added export sector, similar in economic effect to semiconductors or automobiles. It attracts foreign visitors directly to South Korea, encourages them to spend foreign currency locally, extends their length of stay, and stimulates consumption in regional communities. Among the policy tools available to help South Korea attract 30 million foreign visitors, the casino sector can be one of the most effective.

In addition, integrated resorts involving multi-trillion-won [KRW1 trillion = US$656.7 million] investment can be a powerful catalyst for regional revitalisation and for preventing local economic decline. Casino operations are also labour-intensive service businesses where automation is limited, meaning they can generate large numbers of stable, high-quality jobs for younger workers.

Concerns about the negative side of the industry should be addressed through transparency and sustainable growth: areas in which our association continues to make consistent efforts. South Korea’s casinos comply with strict international standards, including FATF [Financial Action Task Force] principles, and manage funds with a high level of transparency under the legal framework emphasised by the current government. We will continue to challenge outdated perceptions and show, through concrete economic data and increased tax and fund contributions, that the casino industry is a strategic tourism sector that can support national growth.

Is S.Korea likely to license additional casinos for use by locals?

Given South Korea’s current social sentiment, the introduction of additional casinos allowing local players would be very difficult. However, if people come to feel an ongoing astronomical outflow of national wealth [from overseas competition], a more forward-looking social consensus may develop on the issue. In the short term, the first line of defence should be to make it [locals-facing casino business] more in line with international standards, such as by raising betting limits or easing entry restrictions.

What’s the purpose of the Korea Casino Association?

The core mission is to ensure South Korea’s casino industry is fully recognised as a high value-added tourism export industry and achieves sustainable growth. Our association represents the interests of the 18 venues within the country and serves as a communication channel with the government. We propose rational policies and call for sensible deregulation, while also training employees to foster professional talent and carrying out public-awareness activities to promote a sound leisure culture. The KCA serves as a compass guiding the healthy development of South Korea’s casino industry.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of South Korea’s casino industry compared with other regulated jurisdictions in the region?

Strengths are its world-class transparency, stability and high-quality service. South Korea operates under strict regulations, including on anti-money laundering [AML] and countering the financing of terrorism [CFT]. Standards exceed international benchmarks. These strengths enable the country to provide global customers with a highly-trustworthy leisure environment.

A clear weakness is that 17 of the country’s 18 casinos are foreigner-only venues. Other countries, supported by strong domestic markets, are able to attract very large-scale international investment and achieve economies of scale. South Korea, with its addressable-market constraints, and trapped in the outdated framing of casinos as merely a speculative or vice industry, faces difficulties in attracting global capital and expanding infrastructure.

What are examples of S.Korea exceeding international AML/CFT standards?

All South Korean casinos are subject to the strict provisions of the Act on the Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Transaction Information, and they thoroughly verify the identity of customers and the source of their funds. While the FATF [Financial Action Task Force] recommendations require the reporting of large cash transactions where a single transaction or the cumulative total of transactions in a single day exceeds US$3,000, in South Korea the threshold is set at KRW3 million [US$1,953] for transactions involving casino chips.

Furthermore, the operation of an independent internal compliance monitoring body is standard practice [in South Korea], and casinos are subject to constant supervision by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Gambling Control Commission, and the police. As severe administrative penalties are imposed for regulatory violations, internal control standards exceeding international benchmarks are applied.

What is the most urgent governmental task if South Korea is to remain competitive regionally?

South Korea’s casino industry is a tourism-services export sector. To strengthen and maintain international competitiveness, the most urgent task is to ease regulations on operations and marketing so that they align with standards seen internationally, and to reform rules in order to allow the adoption of the latest information technology [IT].

Recently, South Korea’s competitors in Asia have introduced various forms of IT to improve operational efficiency and transparency. In line with this trend, South Korea’s casino industry also needs to remove barriers to technology adoption in order to upgrade services. In addition, there must be state-level [national] industrial development policies that can ease marketing difficulties in attracting foreign tourists and allow the sector to compete confidently on the global stage.

What are examples of IT innovation in S.Korea casinos?

RFID [radio frequency identification] chips at Kangwon Land; AI [artificial intelligence] casino automation robots at Kangwon Land; RFID and AI interpretation services at Paradise Co Ltd [properties].

The South Korean casino industry is making significant efforts to introduce and implement various IT technologies such as those mentioned. It is actively embracing new technologies to enhance customer convenience, operational efficiency and, most importantly, transparency.

Is there anti-casino sentiment in South Korea, and if so, why?

The biggest misunderstanding at government level and among the public is the perception South Korean casinos are simply a source of addiction and a harmful presence that undermines the stability of local communities. The reality is different. South Korea’s casino industry pays hundreds of billions of won each year into the country’s Tourism Promotion and Development Fund and the ‘Abandoned Mine Fund’. Through such contributions, the industry serves as seed capital supporting the country’s overall tourism ecosystem, while also creating and providing hundreds of thousands of quality jobs for young people.

In addition, the industry plays a major role in economic development through local infrastructure expansion and in ensuring public order [as a licensed industry]. Various media outlets often exaggerate negative narratives about casinos. We hope those views can be set aside and that the industry will instead be newly-recognised as a transparent, ESG [environmental, social and governance]-driven, high value-added legal tourism export industry equipped with thorough addiction-prevention systems.

Japan’s MGM Osaka integrated resort (IR) is due to open in 2030. Will it compete with South Korean casinos?

Simply in terms of the emergence of a powerful global competitor, it could deal an existential and devastating blow to South Korea’s casino industry. If Osaka’s large-scale IR opens with superior accessibility, attractiveness, and overwhelming capital investment, Japanese customers would be the first to stop coming to South Korea. Additionally, not only Chinese-speaking customers, but also a large share of Western customers, would likely be absorbed by Japan. One cannot overlook the possibility of an annual outflow of South Korean national wealth exceeding KRW5 trillion [US$3.28 billion], as well as an industry exodus in which South Korea’s key casino professionals leave the country in large numbers.

Why could the MGM Osaka be an ‘existential’ threat to South Korea’s casino sector?

First, there is the risk of losing key customer segments. Visitors from Japan and Greater China are the core customer base for South Korea’s foreigner-only casinos. If a high-quality IR backed by a very large investment opens in Osaka, South Korea could lose not only Japanese customers but also part of its Greater China clientele.

Osaka also offers strong non-gaming appeal, including attractions such as Universal Studios [theme park] and a broad mix of Japanese cultural and tourism content. As seen in Macau, the market has been shifting gradually from a VIP focus to more mass and family-oriented customers. In that context, Osaka represents a highly serious competitive threat.

Second, there is the risk of an outflow of skilled personnel. Japan has no direct experience in casino operations, but it represents a major new market with strong growth potential. Both the government and the industry there may try to recruit experienced South Korean staff who understand casino systems and are well equipped to serve Asian customers, possibly by offering very attractive salaries. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many markets identified weaker service quality caused by staff losses as a major challenge. South Korea should learn from that experience. If a large-scale outflow of key personnel occurs, the competitiveness of the domestic casino industry could weaken rapidly.

In a Monday note, the institution said the daily run rate averaged approximately MOP586 million in the week ended June 14. That was around 20 percent below the average recorded in May, when Macau generated approximately MOP729 million per day in GGR.

It was also down 16 percent compared with the first week of June, when daily revenue averaged circa MOP700 million, per the memo.

Citi said the softer performance was “likely due” to the start of the FIFA World Cup on June 11, which was “taking away some Macau players’ betting budgets”.

This year’s World Cup runs until July 19 and features an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches. The investment bank said previously that this tournament’s impact on Macau’s casino GGR could be more pronounced than that of previous editions.

The institution added that VIP hold in the second week of June appeared to be “slightly lower” than in the previous week.

Despite the slower momentum, Citi maintained its June GGR forecast for Macau at MOP19.00 billion, which would represent a 10-percent year-on-year decline.

To meet that forecast, the market would need to generate an average of around MOP625 million per day for the remainder of the month, according to the institution’s calculations.

Citi suggested that a series of shows in Macau could help support the number of visitor arrivals and gaming demand in the latter part of June.

The bank noted that Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd is hosting concerts by Hong Kong singer Keung To, while Sands China Ltd is staging performances by Taiwan singer Wakin Chau at the Londoner Arena.

“We believe these could help mitigate the potential GGR decline,” Citi stated.

The appointment was confirmed in an official notice published by the Macau government in its official gazette on Monday.

According to the notice, China’s State Council appointed Ms Ng to the post on June 10, following her nomination by Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai.

The notice did not indicate when Ms Ng would formally assume her new duties or who would succeed her as head of the gaming regulator.

Ms Ng succeeds Tai Kin Ip as Secretary for Economy and Finance. Mr Tai left the position earlier this year.

The Secretary for Economy and Finance is one of the principal officials in the Macau government and oversees a portfolio that includes the city’s gaming industry, tourism-related economic development, financial services, labour affairs, consumer protection, taxation and economic policy.

Ms Ng had been appointed to lead the DICJ, the body responsible for regulating Macau’s casino industry, in May 2025.

In May this year, her appointment as DICJ director was renewed for a further year. At the time, an official dispatch said the renewal was based on her “civic integrity” and “professional competence”.

A veteran civil servant, Ms Ng had served as director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau immediately before taking charge of the gaming regulator. Prior to that, she spent more than two decades working at the Labour Affairs Bureau.

The decision was approved by the company’s board following a recommendation from management, according to a Thursday filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The hotel, formerly known as Waterfront Manila Hotel & Casino, was severely damaged by a fire in March 2018. Reconstruction began in 2019 using PHP1.5 billion (US$24.5 million) in insurance proceeds received from the property’s insurers.

In Thursday’s announcement, Acesite said work slowed significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic and that a reassessment of the project’s commercial viability had prompted management to halt further reconstruction efforts.

The company stated that revised reconstruction costs have risen to PHP3.6 billion, more than double the original estimates prepared before the pandemic. It cited substantial increases in construction materials, labour and fuel costs, as well as the need for additional structural corrections, civil works and design modifications.

Acesite – which is 56 percent owned by Waterfront Philippines Inc – had previously envisaged a phased reopening, with a soft launch targeted for the first quarter of 2026. The firm said that plan had been intended to spread out capital requirements associated with the reconstruction programme.

Management, however, expressed concerns regarding tourism and gaming demand in the Philippines market.

“The inability of the local market to generate sufficient foreign room sales in 2026, as well as the weak indications of an uptick in tourism arrivals projected for 2027 due to the ongoing protracted U.S.-Israel-Iran war are issues that need serious attention,” the company stated.

Acesite additionally noted that Manila’s casino market was facing a “serious plateau” amid the rapid growth of online gaming. The company also said the number of inbound Chinese visitors had not recovered despite the Philippines’ visa-free policy for Chinese tourists.

“These considerations have prompted management to reconsider the pouring in of additional considerable sums to reopen the hotel at this point in time,” the firm noted.

Acesite said reconstruction would only resume once industry indicators, including visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy levels, average room rates and gaming revenues, show sufficient improvement to support debt servicing and investment returns.

“The earliest estimate of this is 2028,” the company said.

Acesite also disclosed that PHP764 million in retained earnings had recently been appropriated for the reconstruction project as part of efforts to strengthen the firm’s balance sheet.

In the meantime, the company said it would allocate an annual maintenance budget to ensure the hotel’s existing structure remains safe and usable while reconstruction remains suspended.

The institution said historical analysis suggests major international football tournaments tend to divert part of Macau players’ betting budgets towards sports-related events. 

With this year’s World Cup running from today (Thursday, June 11) to July 19 and featuring an expanded format of 48 teams and 104 matches, Citi believes this tournament’s impact could be more pronounced than those of previous editions.

“We anticipate a near-term slowdown in Macau GGR due to the most prestigious soccer tournament” starting this month, wrote analyst George Choi.

The bank forecasts Macau casino GGR to decline by 10 percent year-on-year in June and by 5 percent year-on-year in July, “before a swift recovery driven by a strong post-tournament event calendar”.

Citi pointed to UEFA Euro 2024 – held between June 14 and July 14 – as a recent example. During that tournament, Macau’s daily GGR reportedly fell to a low of MOP514 million (US$63.7 million) per day, about 17 percent below the market’s 2024 daily average of MOP620 million.

“Macau GGR took similar dives during both the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and UEFA Euro 2016,” Mr Choi noted. 

“If history repeats itself, this year’s major soccer tournament could have a more severe impact due to its new format and the unprecedented 104 total matches,” he added.

Notwithstanding the expected near-term softness, Citi said it remained positive on Macau gaming equities, noting that sector valuations remain below their historical average.

“Despite this temporary slowdown, we remain bullish on Macau,” the analyst stated, adding that Macau gaming stocks were currently trading at around 7.3 times forward enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation, compared with a long-term average of approximately 11.4 times.

The brokerage said a strong programme of entertainment and sporting events in Macau after the World Cup should help support a recovery in visitor arrivals and gaming demand, anticipating GGR to grow circa 5.7 percent year-on-year in the second half of 2026.

“We anticipate a swift GGR recovery immediately after the tournament in mid-July, led by a busy calendar of star-studded concerts and events,” Mr Choi stated.

Among the catalysts cited were major concerts – including by K-pop groups Babymonster, TWS, Enhypen, and Taiwan singer Zhao Chuan – and the NBA China Games featuring the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.

“This strong non-gaming line-up should attract visitors and stimulate spending, ensuring a return to positive GGR growth for the rest of the year,” the analyst added.

Mr Carruthers joins the GCGRA after nearly four decades in the global hospitality and gaming sectors. He most recently served as CEO of Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd, a role he held for a little over two years.

Prior to joining Crown Resorts in 2022, Mr Carruthers held senior leadership positions in the gaming industry. Those included roles at Macau casino concessionaires Wynn Macau Ltd, Sands China Ltd, and Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

Mr Carruthers succeeds Kevin Mullally, the GCGRA’s first CEO, who stepped down from the role in November last year.

The GCGRA, established in 2023, is responsible for creating and overseeing the regulatory framework for commercial gaming in the UAE. The regulator has already issued licences covering casino operations, lottery and gaming-related supplier activities, as the federal country develops a regulated gaming sector.

In a statement, GCGRA chairman Jim Murren said Mr Carruthers would bring significant industry experience to the role.

“Ciarán brings exactly the calibre of leadership this role demands,” Mr Murren stated.

“His track record of building trust with governments, regulators, and industry partners across multiple jurisdictions is exceptional. The future of gaming regulation in the UAE is in exceptional hands,” Mr Murren added.

In Tuesday’s statement, the regulator said Mr Carruthers would lead the authority as it continues to develop what it described as a “world-class regulatory environment” for commercial gaming in the UAE.

So far, there is only one licensed casino operator in the UAE. That is casino firm Wynn Resorts Ltd, which is developing with local partners the Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the emirates.

Wynn Resorts management said in April that it expects the current conflict in the Middle East to lead to a “modest delay” in the opening of the Wynn Al Marjan project.

The US$5.1-billion property – in which Wynn Resorts has a 40-percent equity stake – had been marked for a spring-2027 opening.

Since October 2024, the GCGRA has issued gaming-related vendor licences to more than 20 suppliers, per the regulator’s website.