MGM China spotlights gaming combined with premium events for Macau

Kenneth Feng

MGM China is stepping up efforts to bring more high-quality events to Macau as the city seeks to diversify its tourism and gaming economy. Kenneth Feng, the company’s president and executive director, told CNBC that MGM remains “very local” while investing in initiatives beyond casinos to support the city’s broader development.

Addressing concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions, Feng reassured that MGM China has not experienced any “particular pressure” due to its US connections, a view shared by other major operators such as Wynn and Sands in the city.

He said, “I can tell you that I do not receive, we do not receive any particular pressure from that perspective […] We are very local companies.” Feng also highlighted the company’s workforce, noting, “Currently, we have about 14,000 employees,” with 70% being local residents and most of the remainder coming from mainland China.

Beyond its core casino business, MGM China remains deeply committed to supporting the local community and reiterated its role in aiding Macau’s economic diversification. Feng explained, “We want to make those non-gaming investments more effective and more financially meaningful,” referring to a pledged investment of over USD2 billion this decade aimed at broadening Macau’s economy.

“We have a lot of social responsibilities. We are trying to help the government, help this community diversify the economy. I think we are going to win the trust of every party.”

With the recent NBA games in Macau taking place at The Venetian Macao, Feng expressed optimism about the benefits for MGM and other local operators.

“I think we certainly are benefiting from that. I’m glad our other operators are bringing more quality events. They are delivering on their commitments as well.”

Feng described how each of the six operators leverages its niche to attract quality visitors, citing MGM’s exhibitions and museum events as prime examples. “As long as we bring in these kinds of quality events, it will bring in a lot more visitation; it will bring in more quality visitors,” he said.

Highlighting Macau’s compact geography, Feng compared the Cotai Strip to the much larger Las Vegas Strip, explaining, “Cotai Strip, compared to Las Vegas Strip, is four or five times smaller. I mean, we can walk. We can walk anywhere.”

This small but dense layout means that significant events held here have a broad and immediate impact on the entire city and its economy.

He expressed strong confidence in the local gaming market, noting that gross gaming revenue for the first half of the year surged nearly 150% compared to the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, mass gaming revenue has nearly doubled.

When asked about the prospect of MGM Macau hosting more international sporting events like boxing matches, Feng stressed the importance of hosting meaningful and sustainable events that appeal to and resonate with the public. “People like to watch. It’s not purely a name. They will feel, oh, it’s right for us. I want to go. I want to see.”

In December, MGM Macau plans to host an ATP tennis event that will bring world-class players to the city.