Macau casino operators pledge $15 million to sponsor Grand Prix as city pushes sports tourism

Macau’s six casino operators will jointly contribute MOP120 million ($15 million) to sponsor this year’s Macau Grand Prix, as the Chinese gambling hub steps up efforts to diversify its economy through sports tourism.

Galaxy Entertainment, Melco Resorts, MGM China, Sands China, SJM Resorts, and Wynn Macau will each provide MOP20 million, the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee said at a press conference on Monday.

The overall budget for the 72nd edition of the motorsport event stands at MOP240 million ($30.1 million). The event will take place from November 13 to 16, featuring a total of seven races.

This year’s programme will introduce the inaugural Macau Formula 4 Race – FIA F4 World Cup, adding fresh international appeal.

Among the confirmed drivers are Kean Nakamura-Berta, the reigning Italian Formula 4 champion, and Rintaro Sato, son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato. Chinese Formula 4 champions Tiago Rodrigues of Macau and Zhang Shimo of Hong Kong are also expected to compete, while R-ace GP will field three drivers: Matteo De Palo of Italy, France’s Enzo Deligny, and Japan’s Jin Nakamura.

“The Macau Grand Prix provides a platform for local businesses to increase their investment in non-gaming elements, leveraging their resources and expertise,” the Sports Bureau and Macau Grand Prix organising committee said in a joint statement. 

The government has identified sports and cultural events as key to reducing reliance on gaming revenue. As part of their 10-year gaming concessions that began in January 2023, Macau’s casino operators initially pledged to invest MOP108.7 billion in non-gaming projects, an amount that rose by 20% after the city’s casino gross revenue surpassed a full-year threshold of MOP180 billion in 2023.