Macao casino operators commit 9 billion patacas to SAR government guidance fund

Macao’s six casino operators have pledged to collectively contribute 9 billion patacas (US$1.1 billion) to the SAR government guidance fund – an official investment initiative aimed at diversifying Macao’s economy away from its primary industry of gambling. 

The operators formalised their commitment during a signing ceremony at the Government Headquarters on 23 October 2026. Aside from the casino operators’ allocated capital, phase one of the SAR government guidance fund will also include an 11-billion-pataca cash injection from the Macao government, bringing the investment vehicle’s initial total value to 20 billion patacas. 

Macao casino operator contribution breakdown

Among the casino operators, Sands China has the largest investment in the fund, with an allocation of 2.3 billion patacas, according to a company statement published on 23 October 2026. 

In second place is Galaxy Entertainment Group, which committed 2.27 billion patacas. This was followed by Wynn Resorts (Macau) (1.37 billion patacas), MGM China (1.24 billion patacas), SJM Resorts (992.7 million patacas) and Melco Resorts (Macau) (828 million patacas).

Reasons the concessionaires are taking part in the guidance fund

In a statement, MGM China noted that its participation in the SAR government guidance fund was aligned with its commitment to take part in non-gambling investments under the terms of the 10-year gambling concession contract signed in 2022. 

Other casino operators made similar comments in their filings, including SJM Resorts and Melco, which both noted that their fund contributions were part of their concession contract “investment obligations.” 

[See more: Sands China pulling forward Le Jardin redevelopment]

MGM China added that the fund’s initial term would last for 15 years, with the investment period taking place during the first five years. 

Meanwhile, Galaxy said that it “believes that participation in the fund complements the group’s broader investment and development initiatives in support of Macao’s long-term economic development.” 

How the SAR government guidance fund supports Macao economic diversification

According to an SAR government statement published on 24 October, the fund’s investments will centre around emerging industries, start-up technology firms, industrial transformation and upgrading and turning scientific and technological research into marketable products. 

As well, the government intends to use the fund to bolster development in Macao and Hengqin, as well as the Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

It noted that the investment vehicle would operate under a three-tier structure that consists of a guidance fund, parent fund and sub-fund. Professional fund managers will take charge of the latter two funds via a market-oriented mechanism.

Senior officials attend the signing ceremony

A number of senior government officials attended the signing ceremony, including Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and the secretary for economy and finance, Ng Wai Han. 

The latter noted that the government had set up the fund to be “an innovative financial policy measure,” allowing the public sector and the market to work together to build up developing and future sectors. 

Ng highlighted the important role that the six casino operators play in Macao’s positioning as a major global player in tourism and leisure. She added that the fund was the result of the SAR government and the concessionaires’ “amicable negotiations,” pointing out that it reflected the collaborative spirit between the city’s public and business sectors.

Macao economic diversification

The establishment of the fund represents the Macao government’s ongoing efforts to diversify the city’s economy, which has long been dependent on gambling. As a result of this single-industry economy, Macao is particularly vulnerable to economic shocks, regional competition and policy shifts. 

To combat this, the SAR government has been attempting to foster the development of emerging industries such as traditional Chinese medicine, finance, high tech and MICE, with the neighbouring Zhuhai district of Hengqin playing a key role in this effort.