Sands China returns to Lisbon with annual Macao Innovation showcase

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

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November 10, 2025

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Sands China returns to Lisbon with annual Macao Innovation showcase

Sands China is leading a 38-member delegation to Lisbon, Portugal, for a five-day “Macao Technological Innovation Exploration” beginning November 10, reinforcing its commitment to global innovation exchange.

The initiative is co-organised by the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), supported by the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT), and coordinated by the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre.

The delegation comprises representatives¹ from 25 DSEDT-certified Macao enterprises, Macao enterprises included in the National Co-working Space, and the organising entities. The initiative aims to foster industry exchange between Macao and Portugal, enabling local tech entrepreneurs to gain deeper insights into the latest developments and trends in the technology sector, and to promote the long-term growth of Macao’s technological innovation industry.

Sands China empowers young filmmakers by supporting the International Film Camp 2025 — _{Grant Chum, CEO & Executive Director of Sands China}

Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., said: “After the success of last year’s visit, Sands China is bringing back the Macao Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon this year to support the ‘1+4’ development plan for the economic diversification of the Macao SAR, the development of Macao’s technology industries, and the nurturing of local talent and enterprises. A total of 42 local enterprises have been invited to Portugal through these two tours. We hope that this initiative can help connect Macao’s technology industry with Portugal’s innovation ecosystem, create networking opportunities between companies in Macao and Portugal, and strengthen the platform for exchange and cooperation between Macao’s technology industry and Sands China, in support of the Macao SAR government’s policy direction to enhance China-Portugal technological cooperation.”

The trip’s itinerary begins with the Web Summit, an annual technology conference held in Lisbon that brings together the world’s leading experts, innovators, business executives and investors. Last year’s summit attracted over 71,000 participants from 153 countries, setting a new attendance record. It also successfully facilitated connections between more than 1,000 investors and over 2,000 startups. Other activities include a Technology Business Networking Forum and dinner, visits to leading Portuguese tech companies and innovation centres, and a collaborative Concrete Opportunities Workshop to discuss innovation opportunities.

The Macao Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon is part of Sands China’s support of the Macao SAR government’s promotion of the long-term and sustainable development of smart tourism and high-tech industries. Through such initiatives, Sands China hopes to further integrate tourism and modern technology by supporting the research and development of new high-tech local products, in contribution to Macao’s development as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Category	Name
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Ylink (Macau) Computer System Company Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Pachira International Technology Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Vastcom Technology Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Wwave (Macao) Technology Co., Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	BioMyne – Biotech Innovation & Engineering Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	AKL Intelligence Technology Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Hou Tang Technology Development Company Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	eRS Information Technology Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	InfoMacro Information Technology Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Yonyou Software (Macao) Co., Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Macau Digifluidic Biotechnology Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Zidian Technology Company Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Macau Pass S.A.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Alpha Solution Company Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Macau Digit Force Technology Co Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Mega Datatech Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Quantum Nebula (Macao) Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
DSEDT-certified enterprise	Shiji (Macau) Limited
DSEDT-certified enterprise	NetCraft Information Technology (Macau) Co., Ltd.
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Zence Object Technology Co. Ltd.
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Enermind Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Macau Yunchao Future Technology Co., Ltd.
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Formulai Artificial Intelligence Technology Limited
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Cerebrite Robotics Limited
Incubatee at MYEIC / UMAC	Mova Education Technology Company Limited

Melco and UGAMM co-host “Simple Acts of Kindness – Elderly Got Talent” event

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

-

November 10, 2025

0

Melco and UGAMM co-host “Simple Acts of Kindness – Elderly Got Talent” event

Melco Resorts and the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) jointly hosted the “Melco Simple Acts of Kindness– Elderly Got Talent” event at the City of Dreams, attracting around 500 community members, including 16 groups and 11 performance teams.

Mr. Chan Ka Leong, Director-General of UGAMM

Guests of honor included Mr. Cheang Iek Seng, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ms. Kam Kit Leng, Head of Senior Service Division, Social Welfare Bureau of Macao SAR; Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO, Melco; Mr. António José de Freitas, Convenor, Social Services Macau; Ms. Ng Siu Lai, President, UGAMM; Ms. Akiko Takahashi, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO, Melco; Mr. Chan Ka Leong, Director General, UGAMM; and Ms. Bella Vong, Vice President of Table Games, Melco.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts, said, “It is both joyful and inspiring to see our elderly and youth so full of energy, working together in unity, with perseverance and purpose, and taking this opportunity to come together to have fun and enjoy themselves. We are privileged to be co-hosting the ‘Elderly Got Talent’ event in collaboration with UGAMM now for the second year running, and we look forward to further collaborations to work hand in hand in serving the community.”

Mr. Chan Ka Leong, Director-General of UGAMM, added, “Population aging is a global concern and a significant challenge facing Macau. Promoting a culture of respect for the elderly and fostering intergenerational harmony requires not only improved policies and facilities but also a stronger connection of values and emotions. This collaboration with Melco in co-organizing the ‘Elderly Got Talent’ event aims to create an equal, open, and shared platform where seniors and young people of different ages can perform together, demonstrating teamwork, breaking down age barriers through art, and promoting intergenerational exchange through cooperation.”

This year’s event promoted respect for the elderly, intergenerational harmony and social cohesion. The event’s 11 performing teams included representatives from the UGAMM, Macau Federation of Trade Unions, Women’s General Association of Macau, Macau Deaf Association, Obra das Mães, Caritas Macau, Macau Holy House of Mercy, União Geral das Associações Desportivas dos Idosos de Macau, Man Ching of Pou Tai, Bosco Youth Service Network and Fuhong Society of Macau.

The participating seniors and youth showcased a variety of talents, including singing, dancing, songs in sign language, lotus tai chi fan performances, and drama, presenting a diverse and engaging program that vividly embodied the core spirit of inclusion and diversity.

The performing teams collaborated to present a rich and varied program, filling each member of the audience with enthusiasm and emotion. The seniors’ and youths’ energetic performances brought the atmosphere to a climax, winning rounds of enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience—showcasing a sincere appreciation of their talent and dedication, and a beautiful testament to intergenerational exchange.

“We were factoring in two incremental competitors and a market that is $3 billion to $5 billion of GGR (gross gaming revenue). We always tend to operate at a fair share premium,” Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, said during a conference call with analysts following the company’s third quarter 2025 results. “With no announced competition that we’re aware of in the (UAE) market thus far, there probably is some conservatism in those estimates.”

The Wynn Al Marjan property, located in Ras Al Khaimah, represents a joint venture between Wynn Resorts and RAK Holding. It is the first property in the UAE licensed to operate as an integrated gaming resort.

Wynn Resorts was awarded the first commercial gaming (land-based casino) license in the UAE in October 2024 by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). MGM Resorts International publicly stated that it has submitted an application for a UAE casino license, making it the second known operator to engage in the process.

Jim Murren, executive chairman of GCGRA, indicated during a Skift summit that he expected up to four integrated resorts to be established in the UAE in the coming years.

Billings emphasized the UAE’s market fundamentals, citing “a tremendous amount of airlift, a very robust locals market, a very, very high GDP per capita” as key factors in the company’s market size assessment. He noted the geographic advantages of the location, stating that Wynn Al Marjan is approximately 50 minutes from Dubai with excellent road infrastructure connecting the property to major population centers.

The company has already begun targeted marketing efforts for the project. Billings explained that one-to-one marketing and player engagement have been ongoing, with mass marketing campaigns planned to intensify as 2026 progresses and the property approaches its opening date.

Wynn Resorts described the UAE as “one of the most exciting new markets for integrated resort development in decades” in its third quarter results. The company projects the Al Marjan Island property will add $345 million in EBITDAR to its existing operations. During the third quarter of 2025, Wynn contributed $93.9 million in cash to the 40 percent-owned joint venture, bringing its total investment in the project to $835 million.

Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil, said: “We’re excited to expand our presence in Serbia through a major partnership with Merkur. We are confident that it will be a roaring success as we deliver both our proven core titles and innovative YGG Masters content to players. Serbia represents an important growth market for us, and this deal demonstrates our commitment to providing operators with exceptional player experiences across regulated regions.”

Nenad Aleksić, Head of Online Casino at Merkur, added: “Yggdrasil’s reputation for creating engaging, high-quality gaming content made them an ideal partner for expanding our offering. With a creative approach to game creation and the broad portfolio via the YGG Masters program, their games are a perfect addition to our already strong slot stable.”

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Good Morning. End of the legend. SJM Resorts will close Casino Legend Palace on November 12, 2025, in compliance with new satellite casino gaming regulations, and redeploy its gaming assets to other venues. Genting Singapore’s third-quarter 2025 results reflected a ‘meaningful recovery’ from the previous quarter’s trough, with stronger mass market and non-gaming performance at its Resorts World Sentosa property. Meanwhile, executives at Melco Resorts & Entertainment expressed optimism amid Macau’s accelerating gaming rebound.

What you need to know

SJM to close Fisherman’s Wharf’s Legend Palace Casino on November 12th, marking another step in Macau’s satellite casino phase-out.
Genting Singapore recovers from 2Q dip with solid 3Q25 results; Maybank says new COO, hotel reopening to fuel 4Q25 gains.
Executives at Melco Resorts & Entertainment voiced confidence in the group’s outlook as Macau’s gaming recovery gathered pace.

On the radar

Average visitor spending declines 9.5% despite Macau tourism gains.
Sega Sammy profit plunges 91% on weaker game sales, acquisition costs.
Macau airport opens se rvice centre in Shenzhen to boost cross-border connectivity.

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

SJM Resorts announces closure of Casino Legend Palace

SJM Resorts has announced that Casino Legend Palace will cease operations on November 12, 2025, in compliance with new regulations requiring satellite casinos to be directly managed by concessionaires. Located in the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf complex and operated by Macau Legend Development Ltd. under SJM’s gaming license, the closure is part of a broader regulatory response to enhance the gaming sector’s oversight. SJM will redeploy all gaming assets from Legend Palace to its other venues and has assured customers that they can redeem their chips and cash rebates at other SJM casinos starting November 13.

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INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

Throughout the exhibition, visitors watched SOFTSWISS’ “pit-stop crew” assemble the sports car from engine and chassis to final calibration, showing how the company’s robust product ecosystem reflects the principles of a high-performance racing car. On the final day of the event, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, personally handed over the keys to the Alfa Romeo 4C to Hugo Baungartner, Chief Business Officer at Lottu, the company’s valued partner.

“I’ve always been drawn to speed and precision – values that connect both racing and iGaming. Over the past few days, our team and partners have literally built this car together, piece by piece. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome our 100th brand powered by SOFTSWISS this year through the Game Aggregator – and it’s especially meaningful that this brand comes from Brazil. Brazil has become one of the most dynamic markets for iGaming – full of energy, creativity, and passion – much like racing itself,” shared Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.

SOFTSWISS presents live-assembled Alfa Romeo 4C at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 — _{Hugo Baungartner, Chief Business Officer at Lottu}

Hugo Baungartner, Chief Business Officer at Lottu, commented: “We’re proud to be part of this memorable moment and this partnership. SOFTSWISS stands for quality, reliability, and innovation – values that align perfectly with our own. This Alfa Romeo is a symbol of our shared pursuit of excellence and collaboration, and we’re excited to continue working together.”

The ceremony also featured speeches by Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, and Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, before the official key handover to Lottu.

The Alfa Romeo 4C activation was one of the brightest highlights of SiGMA Central Europe 2025. The live assembly drew a continuous stream of visitors to the SOFTSWISS stand, underscoring the company’s reputation for bold creativity and technological expertise.

Ho said Melco remains focused on elevating its product offerings and customer experience. “We’ve introduced new premium experiences such as the Signature Clubhouse at City of Dreams and expanded high-limit gaming areas at Studio City,” he said. “After COVID, we’ve come out of that funk and rediscovered our swagger.”

He added that the group’s long-term investment program — including the renovation of the Countdown Hotel at City of Dreams, set to reopen in the third quarter of 2026 — will “bring a one-of-a-kind experience to Macau and the region.”

City of Dreams Macau, Melco Resorts, Macau

President Evan Winkler described the competitive environment in Macau as “stable but rational,” saying Melco continues to hold the line on reinvestment while fine-tuning its marketing programs. “We didn’t see a big shift upward in promotional activity,” he said. “We’ll continue to monitor and respond, but the market is competitive without being irrational.”

CFO Geoffrey Davis said Melco’s balance sheet was in “a strong position,” with $2.6 billion in available liquidity and $1.6 billion in cash as of September 30. “We continue to prioritize debt reduction,” he said, noting that Melco repaid $180 million in the third quarter and an additional $180 million since October. “We have no material debt maturing in 2026.”

Davis said the company plans to take “a more balanced approach” to capital management next year. “While debt reduction will remain a priority, we aim to potentially recommence the quarterly dividend by the end of next year,” he said.

The company’s third-quarter adjusted property EBITDA rose 18 percent year-on-year to about $380 million, supported by strong performances in Macau, Manila and Cyprus. Property EBITDA margins in Macau held steady at 29 percent, with daily operating expenses stable at around $3 million.

Ho said Melco’s expansion outside Macau is gaining traction. “City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus had its best quarter ever, while our Philippines property delivered strong sequential growth,” he said. “In Sri Lanka, it’s still early days, but we’re optimistic about the market’s long-term tourism potential.”

Winkler added that City of Dreams’ turnaround reflects “hundreds of improvements” since the pandemic. “It’s not one silver bullet — it’s a lot of small steps that together rebuilt our leadership in product and service,” he said.

Ho summed up Melco’s outlook with cautious optimism: “We’re seeing healthy market trends, disciplined competition, and growing confidence across our properties. The best is yet to come.”

Located within the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf complex, the property has been operated by Macau Legend Development Ltd. under SJM Resorts’ gaming license. The closure follows ongoing regulatory changes requiring all satellite casinos to either be directly managed by concessionaires or terminate their operations by the end of 2025.

In a statement, SJM Resorts said the company ‘strictly complies with the Gaming Law as amended in 2022 and related regulations to contribute to the sector’s orderly advancement,’ adding that all gaming tables and slot machines from the Legend Palace Casino will be redeployed to other SJM-operated venues.

Customers holding chips, deposits, or cash rebates accumulated at the casino will be able to redeem them at other SJM casinos starting November 13th. The operator emphasized that ‘all customer entitlements will be duly honored,’ according to the official press release.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) is expected to dispatch personnel to oversee the shutdown process, ensuring compliance with legal procedures and the proper handling of casino assets.

Employee protection and redeployment

SJM highlighted that local employment remains a top priority. ‘All local employees employed by SJM Resorts will remain employed and be reassigned to other casinos of the company to undertake gaming-related roles according to operational needs,’ the company said.

Meanwhile, Macau Legend employees not directly under SJM will be invited to apply for related vacancies within the group and ‘provided with necessary support to facilitate a smooth transition,’ SJM added.

According to previous filings, Macau Legend Development reported a HK$1.42 billion ($182 million) loss for the first half of 2025, largely attributed to the impending shutdown of its casino operations. The group is now pivoting to focus on non-gaming segments at Fisherman’s Wharf and other regional assets while exploring fundraising options to stabilize its finances.

The closure of Casino Legend Palace will leave six remaining satellite casinos in Macau, all operating under SJM Resorts’ license: Casino Landmark, Casino Kam Pek Paradise, Casino Casa Real, Casino Fortuna, Casino Ponte 16, and Casino Le Royal Arc. Of these, SJM has confirmed plans to integrate the operations of Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau into its core business structure, while the remaining four are expected to close by the end of the year.

SJM said it will use the transition to ‘consolidate a leadership position on the Macau Peninsula’ through table redeployment to its flagship Grand Lisboa and the soon-to-be upgraded Casino Lisboa downtown.

Maybank highlighted that the reopening of the Singapore Oceanarium and the WEAVE mall in July spurred a rebound in mass market gaming and non-gaming activities. RWS’s mass market gross gaming revenue rose approximately 5 percent quarter-on-quarter, while non-gaming revenue jumped 33 percent quarter-on-quarter and 7 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, VIP volume eased 5 percent to SG$8.8 billion ($6.8 billion), mainly due to higher direct rebate rates and promotional allowances offered by competitor Marina Bay Sands, which ‘would have compressed their theoretical EBITDA margins,’ Yin noted.

Laurus Hotel reopening and new COO to support 4Q25

Moving into the fourth quarter, Maybank expects Genting Singapore’s performance to further improve, supported by the gradual reopening of the 183-suite Laurus Hotel from October 1st and the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer, effective December 1st.

Resorts World Sentosa has announced that Chen Si will assume the COO role, joining from INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in South Korea’s Incheon, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. Si is set to depart INSPIRE in November to take up his new post in Singapore. He will be succeeded as CEO of INSPIRE by Gyumbum Ko, a businessman with senior leadership experience across multinational companies in South Korea, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Maybank said these management and property developments are expected to attract more premium mass visitors and help “moderate any seasonal weakness in non-gaming revenue” during the year-end period.

Maybank maintained its earnings estimates and reiterated confidence in the operator’s resilience during the ongoing RWS 2.0 redevelopment phase. ‘We believe the company is pulling itself out of the 2Q25 trough,’ Yin wrote, adding that operational recovery and the strong balance sheet—holding net cash of SG$3.0 billion ($2.3 billion)—support its positive outlook.

Genting Singapore owns and operates Resorts World Sentosa, one of Singapore’s two integrated resorts. The company reported a market capitalization of about SG$8.8 billion ($6.8 billion) and remains in a net cash position. Its stock has declined 14 percent over the past year but gained 1 percent in the past month.

Sands China is leading a 38-member delegation to Lisbon, Portugal, for a five-day “Macao Technological Innovation Exploration” beginning November 10, reinforcing its commitment to global innovation exchange.

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Melco Resorts and the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) jointly hosted the “Melco Simple Acts of Kindness– Elderly Got Talent” event at the City of Dreams, attracting around 500 community members, including 16 groups and 11 performance teams.

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Wynn Resorts expects two competitors to emerge in the United Arab Emirates’ gaming market in the coming years, with the market projected to generate $3 billion to $5 billion in gross gaming revenue, according to the company’s chief executive.

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Yggdrasil has expanded its footprint in Serbia after partnering with global giant Merkur, making its portfolio of slot titles available to players in the regulated jurisdiction through the MerkurXtip brand.

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ZITRO accelerates its FANTASY cabinet rollout with the third title in the series: “FANTASY MINE,” further fueling excitement around the growing game collection.

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What you need to know

On the radar

MACAU

Corporate Spotlight

Industry Updates

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In celebration of its 100th brand, SOFTSWISS delivered one of SiGMA Central Europe 2025’s most memorable moments: assembling and gifting an Alfa Romeo 4C live in Rome.

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Executives at Melco Resorts & Entertainment voiced confidence in the group’s outlook as Macau’s gaming recovery gathered pace, saying the company is seeing “sustained momentum” into the fourth quarter following solid third-quarter results and ongoing upgrades to its flagship properties.

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Macau gaming operator SJM Resorts, S.A. has confirmed that Casino Legend Palace will officially cease operations at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, following coordination with the Macau SAR Government and other relevant authorities.

Employee protection and redeployment

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Genting Singapore’s third-quarter 2025 results reflected a ‘meaningful recovery’ from the previous quarter’s trough, with stronger mass market and non-gaming performance at its Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) property, according to Maybank Investment Bank analyst Samuel Yin Shao Yang.

Stronger mass and non-gaming segments

Laurus Hotel reopening and new COO to support 4Q25

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