Macau Slot, the city’s sole sports betting operator, says it does not expect Hong Kong’s planned legalization of basketball betting to dent its business, even as competition between the two markets could grow in the future.
“Concerning the possible basketball betting legalization in Hong Kong, we don’t foresee an immediate impact on our results since almost 90 percent of our business comes from local customers,” said Harry Lan, Chief Betting Officer at Macau Slot said on Monday.
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in February that the city would actively explore regulating basketball betting and had invited the Hong Kong Jockey Club to submit proposals.
The club reportedly intends to create a system similar to its football betting model, with a proposed 50 percent tax rate and a possible launch in 2026. Government projections suggest the measure could generate about HK$1.5 billion (US$193 million) annually in tax revenue by its fourth year.
Lan noted that football remains the dominant betting category in Macau, accounting for around 60 percent of wagers on the company’s platform, with basketball making up the remaining 40 percent. Macau residents and visitors can place bets at physical outlets across the city as well as online and by phone.
Macau Slot, a subsidiary of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM)—which also controls gaming concessionaire SJM—recently had its concession extended until June 5th, 2026. Legislator Angela Leong, co-chairperson and executive director of SJM Holdings, holds a 72 percent stake in the company, according to a September 2024 filing.
The firm’s net profits rose 5.6 percent year-on-year to MOP130.88 million (US$16.2 million) in 2024, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic, though still below the MOP154.8 million ($19.1 million) posted in 2019.
While Macau Slot’s betting business is steady, its broadcasting partner, M Plus Sports Media Company Limited, is expanding its offerings to boost viewership and engagement. The company announced this week it had secured exclusive rights to air the Premier League and FA Cup in Macau from the 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 seasons.
In partnership with Macau Cable Television, M Plus Sports will deliver live matches through its app and on dedicated TV channels (34, 35, 36, and 37).
“We need some technical support from the TV station in terms of receiving satellite signals and a local studio to produce local commentary. I’m hoping this can double or triple our viewership, complementing the online app,” said Alan Yung, Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships, at a Grand Lisboa launch event.
The broadcaster already airs Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, Australia’s A-League, and South Korea’s K League, alongside other sports events.
Yung said customers have high expectations, noting “Customers want everything, especially free of charge, but of course, they need to pay for it. We are looking for more opportunities and matches that can be available to Macau viewers at a reasonable cost.”
The company will also carry the Bundesliga in the coming season, adding to its DFB Pokal coverage. “We select 250 to 300 matches from around the world and broadcast them in Cantonese,” Yung said.
The Premier League and FA Cup are among the most popular football leagues globally, and M Plus will enhance coverage with live commentary in both English and Cantonese, plus news updates and post-match analysis.
Established in 2017, M Plus focuses on broadcasting and livestreaming football and basketball games, and works with Macau Slot on the sports betting side.
Macau’s sports betting market remains regulated under a framework where Macau Slot operates as the sole licensed provider, despite the removal of its exclusivity in 2021—no new competitors have emerged so far.
In a previous interview with AGB, Yung noted that approximately 90 percent of M Plus’ users engaged in sports betting.
