Macau’s unopposed Chief Executive candidate, Sam Hou Fai, has urged gaming operators to ensure the industry’s growth is maintained through “healthy, orderly, and sustainable development.”
The statement was made during a meeting with the heads of the city’s six gaming operators on Thursday afternoon. Sam is currently in the process of gathering public opinion to develop his political agenda before the election vote in October.
According to a press release, the former top judge acknowledged the contributions made by the gaming operators to Macau’s economic development. He stressed that the industry must operate within the legal framework while supporting Macau’s broader goal of economic diversification.
The media release didn’t identify the representatives individually when citing their opinions. However, the city’s gaming leaders provided insights into the progress made under their 10-year gaming concession, which began in January 2023.
They highlighted achievements in expanding non-gaming elements, promoting Chinese culture, ensuring local employment, training local workers, and supporting Macau’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In the meeting, the operators expressed optimism about the future, pledging to continue improving service quality, attracting more international visitors, and elevating Macau’s reputation as a premier leisure destination under the leadership of the SAR government.
The meeting, held on the afternoon of September 12th, included key figures from the gaming industry, such as Pansy Ho, Chairperson of MGM China; Kenneth Feng, President of MGM Grand Paradise; and Lawrence Ho of Melco Resorts. Also in attendance were Wilfred Wong, Vice Chairman of Sands China; Grant Chum Kwan Lock, CEO of Sands China; Francis Lui, Vice President of Galaxy Entertainment Group; Linda Chen, President of Wynn Macau; and Daisy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of SJM Holdings.
In a previous candidacy announcement last month, Sam Hou Fai took a critical tone, pointing out that the gaming industry had experienced “barbaric expansion” and had a significant negative impact on society. The statement has caused some speculation about whether he will implement changes to gaming policy in the future.
As of Thursday, Sam Hou Fai is poised to become Macau’s next Chief Executive after securing an unprecedented 97 percent (386 nominations) from the 400-member Chief Executive Election Committee. This effectively prevents any other candidate from receiving enough nominations to join the election.
In previous comments to AGB, top economist José I. Duarte indicated that the new Macau Chief Executive is unlikely to change the overall economic orientation of the gaming-focused city. However, the main challenge will lie in Macau’s push for ‘diversification’, something Sam’s predecessors were unable to achieve.
