A new "forwarding mechanism" aimed at channeling cultural and sports projects to integrated resorts in Macau would maximize the gaming operators' business acumen, notes an academic. Meanwhile, the mechanism could also elevate non-gaming projects' return on investment (ROI) and efficacy, according to gaming scholar Carlos Siu.

Macau casino operators have received a minimum of 18 proposals from the Macau government through the “referral mechanism” established last year, aimed at aiding local groups in securing funding.

Macau authorities are further placing the pressure on gaming operators to highlight non-gaming activities – in particular cultural projects and sporting events – by setting up a mechanism to gather project applications and forward them on to the operators.

Macau's non-gaming aspirations are laudable, note the heads of Macau's top chambers of commerce, however, the policies for attracting talent are falling far behind regional offerings, leaving the city little room to compete