Shares of US-based casino operators with significant operations in Macau experienced a positive boost this week, following news of a temporary truce in tariff
Shares of US-based casino operators with significant operations in Macau experienced a positive boost this week, following news of a temporary truce in tariff impositions between the United States and China. This favourable market reaction coincided with reassurances from Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai regarding the protection of foreign investments and the stability of the business environment for international operators, set against the backdrop of the city’s ongoing economic diversification efforts.
Shares of US-based casino operators in Macau, including Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and MGM Resorts - prominent members among the city’s six casino concessionaires - saw their share value rise this week. This increase followed news that Beijing and Washington had agreed to a 90-day pause on tariff hikes. On Monday, May 12, 2025, market reports, as covered by iGaming Times, indicated specific increases: Wynn Resorts shares rose by approximately 8%, Las Vegas Sands by roughly 7%, and MGM Resorts by around 5%. The broader S&P 500 index also saw an increase of 3% on the same day.
Chief Executive Offers Reassurance to US Operators
Adding to the positive sentiment for international operators in Macau, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai made reassuring statements at a press conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. As reported by iGaming Times, the Chief Executive stated that the Chinese Special Administrative Region would not penalise American operators for actions taken by Washington. He conveyed, as reported by iGaming Times, that as long as the operators follow Macau’s laws and conduct their activities in an orderly and lawful manner, they are protected and supported by the SAR government. The Chief Executive also emphasised, as reported by iGaming Times, that foreign investments are highly welcomed in the Macau SAR, aligning with goals outlined in his recent policy address, and that all foreign investments will be protected and supported provided they comply with local regulations.
Context of Diversification and Economic Resilience
The Chief Executive’s statements come within the broader context of Macau’s strategic push for economic diversification. He acknowledged, as reported by iGaming Times, “profound changes reshaping the international geopolitical landscape” and “intensifying competition in the tourism and gaming sectors.” These external factors, combined with Macau’s significant over-reliance on gaming for tax revenue - a sector currently contributing about 80% of the city’s tax revenue - limit the city’s “capacity to withstand economic shocks.” The Chief Executive reiterated the call for “appropriate economic diversification fostering the city’s sustainable socioeconomic development.” The government’s “1+4” plan for growth, established in 2023, aims to develop international tourism and hospitality bolstered by four new economic pillars: Chinese health, finance, technology, and the meetings and convention trade, all anchored by a strong gaming sector. Former Chief Executive Ho Iat-Seng, before his retirement in December 2024, also expressed the view, as reported by iGaming Times, that the government’s goal is not “to compress the gaming industry,” but rather to “grow the pie” by expanding other sectors. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also stressed the importance of developing “new industries with international competitiveness.”
Operator Obligations and Outlook on US Presence
Macau’s gaming operators play a crucial role in this diversification effort. As part of their 10-year concessions, which were renewed in 2023, the concessionaires are required to collectively invest MOP130 billion (approximately $16.1 billion) in non-gaming attractions and local infrastructure over the concession term. The industry is also undergoing a significant shift, pivoting increasingly towards the mass market and premium mass segments due to the substantial decline of the VIP industry.
Analysis regarding the outlook for US operators amidst these dynamics has been provided by firms like Fitch Ratings. As recently as April 2025, Fitch Ratings, as reported by iGaming Times, warned that American operators in Macau could potentially be “subject to retaliation” due to US-China tensions and that the soft Chinese economy was “likely to pressure gaming revenues and earnings.” However, Fitch also noted, as reported by iGaming Times, that “healthy balance sheets and ratings headroom” could mitigate these risks, stating that Las Vegas Sands had “ample rating headroom” and abundant liquidity, while MGM and Wynn also had “adequate rating headroom at current levels.” Fitch’s conclusion, as reported by iGaming Times, is that the termination or non-renewal of these US operators’ licenses is “highly unlikely.” Wynn, Sands, and MGM collectively represent more than half of the jurisdiction’s gross gaming revenue, underscoring their vital role in Macau’s economy.
In conclusion, the positive reaction in Macau casino stocks to the US-China tariff truce, combined with clear reassurances from Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai regarding the protection of lawful foreign investments, suggests a degree of stability for US casino concessionaires in Macau. Despite the backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions and the city’s push for economic diversification requiring substantial operator investment, US operators are expected to maintain their significant presence, supported by their financial health and the government’s stated commitment to protecting lawful foreign investments in the world’s leading gaming jurisdiction.
