One of Macau's top events of the year, the Macau Grand Prix, which this year celebrated its 70th anniversary via a two-weekend affair, is actually driving punters away from the territory, notes expert Ben Lee in this week's Under the Scope. The increased congestion and foot traffic repelled potential gamblers, even as the city celebrated non-gaming clients who came for the event.

The expansion of the Macau Grand Prix to two weekends could have a negative double-digit impact on gross gaming revenue for the month as congestion and accessibility concerns push punters away.

Dedicated to promoting the development of "tourism + sports" and helping Macau to establish itself as a global sports-event destination, MGM continues to make contributions to the world-renowned Macau Grand Prix.

On Monday, Macau's tourism authorities displayed strong confidence in hotel occupancy rates exceeding 90% during the upcoming Macau Grand Prix event.

Sands China Ltd. title sponsored the main event of this year’s 69th Macau Grand Prix, the Sands China Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, as part of the company’s continuous support of sports development and sports tourism in Macao.

Sponsored by all six gaming operators, replacing the title sponsorship, the 69th Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17 to 20, comprising a total of seven races.

Macau visitor arrivals rose by 25.9 percent year-on-year in November, attributed to large-scale tourist events such as the Macau Grand Prix and the Food Festival.

MGM China said its involvement in the Macau Grand Prix has taken a step forward by becoming the title sponsor of the MGM Greater Bay Area GT Cup.

The Macau Grand Prix Museum is now six times larger after a MOP479 million revamp and is scheduled to reopen its doors next month.