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☆ Casinos in Macau, the Vegas of the East, have managed to renew crucial gaming licenses. But there's a hefty catch — they need to pump in $15 billion into non-gaming sectors.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Macau's six casino operators pledged to invest nearly $15 billion in non-gaming sectors. In return for the investments, Macau's government has renewed their gaming licenses. Gaming licenses for the six major casino operators had expired back in June, throwing into question Macau's future as a gambling hub. The new 10-year gaming licenses come into effect on January 1, 2023. Among the six gaming companies, Sands China has committed to spending the most in non-gaming projects — about 27.8 billion patacas, or $3.5 billion.

☆ Macau casinos' new contracts to sharpen focus on non-gaming activities
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The operators are expected to focus on non-gaming activities in the new term, particularly as Beijing is keen for Macau to diversify away from gambling and attract foreign tourists. Some analysts expect them to make non-gaming investments of up to $15 billion cumulatively over the next decade. Genting, with its strong non-gaming track record and mass market appeal, was a credible threat for the Macau operators, many executives and analysts have said. Previous attempts by Macau to diversify have been unsuccessful, with casino operators shying away from investing in non-gaming due to the high costs, particularly as the gambling industry was far more lucrative. Macau's gambling industry currently accounts for more than 80% of government revenues.

☆ Morgan Stanley turns bullish on China stocks, giving them serious upside potential
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Morgan Stanley has turned bullish on China stocks for the first time in nearly two years as the country embarks on a "clear path set towards reopening." It had held its equal weight rating on Chinese stocks since Jan. 2021 and was last overweight on China in March 2020. Morgan Stanley also gave the major Chinese stock indexes large potential upsides. Morgan Stanley recommended investing in offshore Chinese stocks. Stocks set to benefit Morgan Stanley highlighted a list of stocks it said are set to benefit from the easing in China.

☆ Chinese stocks rally on reopening hopes; Morgan Stanley upgrades to overweight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Hang Seng TECH Index, which represents the 30 largest technology companies listed in Hong Kong, surged 8% in Asia's trade. Electronic vehicle-maker Xpeng gained 24%, leading gains for the broader index, Li Auto jumped 12% and Nio climbed more than 15%. The Hang Seng index rose 4% while China's CSI 300 index, which tracks the largest largest mainland-listed stocks, rose almost 2%. Hong Kong-listed casino operators also saw significant gains, with MGM China rising 19%, Wynn Macau climbing 16% and Sands China adding 13%. Morgan Stanley upgrades to overweight

☆ China's stocks, yuan tumble as COVID protests rattle nerves
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A U.S. crackdown on Chinese tech giants citing national security concerns also weighed on shares of technology firms. Nevertheless, the social unrest and rising coronavirus cases had fuelled expectations of an earlier end to China's zero-COVID policy, putting a floor under stocks and boosting tourism and consumer shares. "The market does not like uncertainties that are difficult to price and the China protests clearly fall into this category. While state media has not reported the protests, photos and videos of the protests circulated on social media. "The demonstrations ... mean the current COVID policy mix is no longer politically sustainable.

☆ Macau's 6 casino operators get new licences, Malaysia's Genting out
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 26 (Reuters) - Macau's government said on Saturday its six incumbent casino operators would be given new licences to operate in the world's biggest gambling hub from January, with Malaysian operator Genting missing out on a spot. The highly anticipated announcement signals stability and continuity for the Macau operators who have invested more than $50 billion in the Chinese special administrative region in the past 20 years. Officials in Macau, the world's biggest casino hub, told a news briefing the main considerations for granting licences included ensuring local employment, developing overseas tourist markets and developing non-gaming projects. Sands China (1928.HK), Wynn Macau (WYNN.O), Galaxy Entertainment (0027.HK), MGM China (2282.HK), Melco Resorts (MPEy.F), and SJM Holdings (0880.HK), have operated in the Chinese special administrative region since 2002. "We are committed to Macau and its development as Asia's premier tourist destination," Lawrence Ho, chairman and chief executive of Melco, said in a statement.

☆ China is easing its Covid measures. Here’s how market pros are playing it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

China announced a shortening of its quarantine requirements last week, while simplifying travel rules and adjusting its monitoring regime. China has stood firm on its zero-Covid policy even as countries around the world adopt a "live with the virus" approach. Fund manager Brian Arcese believes the market reaction reflects the "underlying fundamentals that earnings will really start to improve." Meanwhile, Arcese, who is a portfolio manager at Foord Asset Management, said the firm has a China exposure of about 20%. It should benefit from the re-opening of China as tourism gradually recovers to pre-Covid levels," he added.

☆ Macau casinos expected to invest around $12 bln over next 10 years -media
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Macau casino operators, vying for a licence in the world's biggest gambling hub, are expected to invest a total of around 100 billion patacas ($12.4 billion) over the next 10 years, local broadcaster TDM reported. Galaxy and Sands may invest more than 20 billion patacas each, while the others will invest less than 20 billion patacas. Altogether the total will be around 100 billion, TDM said. Negotiations with the Macau government are almost complete the broadcaster said, with the bidders having reached agreement about what each of them proposes to do over new 10-year licence term which begins in 2023. The six Macau incumbents have operated in the Chinese special administrative region since 2002, with their current concessions expiring at the end of this year.

☆ Casino operator Wynn delivers decent Q3 despite ongoing China pressures
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Casino operator Wynn Resorts (WYNN) reported solid third-quarter results Wednesday, boosted by its U.S. properties, even as its China operations continued to be squeezed by Beijing's strict Covid-19 measures. Despite lower revenues, the Adjusted Property EBITDA loss was $21.8 million, compared to forecasts of a $43 million loss. But the Adjusted Property EBITDA loss was smaller than anticipated, at $43.8 million, compared to the $59 million loss predicted by analysts. Despite lower revenues, the Adjusted Property EBITDA loss was $21.8 million, compared to forecasts of a $43 million loss. But the Adjusted Property EBITDA loss was smaller than anticipated, at $43.8 million, compared to the $59 million loss predicted by analysts.

☆ Macau reimposes COVID curbs with casino lockdown as infections creep up
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Authorities locked down the MGM Cotai casino resort owned by MGM China (2282.HK) on Sunday with staff and guests ordered to stay inside until Nov 1. All of Macau's 700,000 residents are mandated to take rapid antigen tests daily during the period, the government said. The casino closure deals a blow to operators who have already been grappling with China's "zero COVID" restrictions for more than two and a half years, losing millions of dollars monthly. Shares in Hong Kong-listed Galaxy Entertainment (0027.HK) and Wynn Macau (1128.HK) dropped more than 3% early in Monday's session but later reversed course to trade in positive territory. Macau casino executives also said a decision on new licences could come as early as this week.

☆ China residents able to travel to Macau using e-visa from Nov 1
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 31 (Reuters) - China's immigration bureau said mainland residents will be able to travel to Macau from Nov. 1 using an online visa system rather than in-person applications, a move that could increase travel to the world's largest gambling hub. Authorities locked down the MGM Cotai casino resort owned by MGM China (2282.HK) on Sunday with staff and guests ordered to stay inside until Nov 1. All of Macau's 700,000 residents are mandated to take rapid antigen tests daily during the period, the government said. Macau's six casino operators - Sands China (1928.HK), Wynn Macau (WYNN.O), Galaxy Entertainment (0027.HK), MGM China, Melco Resorts and SJM Holdings (0880.HK) - are currently awaiting a government decision on whether they will be granted new licenses. Reporting by Farah Master and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Kim Coghill and Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Macau's MGM Cotai casino locked down after dealer COVID case - media
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Macau's MGM Cotai casino, operated by MGM China (2282.HK), was locked down on Sunday morning after a dealer was found to be infected with COVID-19 in the world's biggest gambling hub, local publication Inside Asian Gaming reported. The closure deals a blow to casino operators who have already been grappling with COVID restrictions for more than two and a half years. Government health workers were at the MGM Cotai site with noone allowed to enter or exit the building, Inside Asian Gaming said. All of Macau's 700,000 residents must take a rapid antigen test for COVID daily from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Macau's government said in a statement that made no mention of the MGM closure. Macau's six casino operators - Sands China (1928.HK), Wynn Macau (WYNN.O), Galaxy Entertainment (0027.HK), MGM China, Melco Resorts and SJM Holdings (0880.HK) - are currently awaiting a government decision on whether they will be granted new licenses.

They accounted for 71% of arrivals before the pandemic, with another 19% coming from Hong Kong, according to the tourism board. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCasinos have supported heady growth since 2002 when Macau opened the market to multiple operators. Macau’s tiny population of 680,000 was nearly 70% richer on a per capita basis than their peers in Hong Kong, per the International Monetary Fund. But their collective enthusiasm masks an awkward reality: Macau’s dependence on the gambling industry looks increasingly fraught. Gaming revenue, which peaked at $45 billion in 2013, has never recovered from the blow to VIP business, sinking to $36 billion by 2019, per Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

☆ Macau casino operators soar as China allows tour groups after nearly 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman rest next to the decoration inside the Wynn Palace casino resort in Macau, China December 20, 2019, on the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. Sands China (1928.HK) rose more than 13%, Wynn Macau (1128.HK) climbed 7%, Galaxy Entertainment (0027.HK) advanced 10% while shares of SJM (0880.HK) and MGM China (2282.HK) jumped 8% each. Currently, Chinese tourists to Macau need to book a visa appointment followed by a week-long approval process. The individual visa scheme accounted for around 50% of Chinese visitors to Macau in 2019 while tour groups accounted for around 25% of visitation. In the first phase, the resumption of tour groups will come from five provinces -- Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian -- which represented almost 60% of mainland visits to Macau in 2019.

☆ Wall Street backs Club holding Wynn Resorts as Macao tours from China get ready to reopen
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Club holding Wynn Resorts (WYNN) was among them, jumping more than 12%. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. People use their smartphones to take photographs outside The Wynn Macau casino resort, operated by Wynn Resorts Ltd., in Macao, China, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

☆ Investors Shun Macau Casinos’ Bonds as Tourism From China Plummets
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Elaine Yu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Tourists waited to board a vehicle outside a Macau casino resort three years ago. Visitors from mainland China to Macau in the first half of this year fell 78% from the same period in 2019. Prices of dollar bonds from Wynn Macau have tumbled to as low as 68 cents on the dollar, levels more commonly associated with distressed debt. A bond from MGM China Holdings that matures in 2027 was at about 76.6 cents on the dollar Wednesday, according to FactSet. Casino bonds that mature in 2024 are yielding more than 15%.

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