Macau, China, June 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Macau’s sole sports betting operator recorded net profits of 126.94 million patacas (€13.5 million) in 2025, a year-on-year fall of 3%, according to a financial report released by the company.
The Macau Lottery and Sports Betting Company (Macau Slot), which holds the sole licence to operate football and basketball betting in the territory, announced that it will continue to develop “more diversified” sports betting products and to strengthen “information services to keep pace with developments in the sector”.
In the same report, the company’s chairman, Ng Chi Sing, stated that “despite changes in the business environment and economic challenges in neighbouring regions”, the Macau government’s policies have kept the local economy stable.
In September last year, the Hong Kong parliament approved the legalisation of betting on basketball matches, to be operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, replicating the existing model for horse racing and football betting.
However, in April this year, the government of the neighbouring territory announced the postponement of the measure, justifying the decision on the grounds of fears that it could lead to a rise in illegal betting in the global betting market.
In 2024, Macau Slot recorded a net profit of 130.88 million patacas (€13.9 million), up 5.6% year-on-year, the highest figure since the start of the pandemic.
A total of 163 million patacas (€17.3 million) in gross betting revenue from football and basketball was reported in the first quarter of this year in Macau, whilst more than 1 billion patacas (€106 million) was wagered during the same period, according to data from the territory’s Gambling Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
The previous year ended with a total of 609 million patacas (€64.5 million) in gross sports betting revenue in the territory, with over 6 billion patacas (€636 million) in bets recorded.
Sports betting figures in the territory tend to rise in years when international football competitions are held, with the FIFA World Cup taking place this year.
Founded in 1989, Macau Slot was granted exclusive rights to football betting in 1998 and to basketball betting in 2000. It lost its exclusive status in 2021, but no new operator has entered the market to date. Since 2024, the licence has been renewed annually.
Last year, the Macau Government extended the licence for a further year, until 5 June 2027, whilst requiring the company to progressively reduce the number of non-residents and retain local workers.
According to a financial statement from November 2025, Angela Leong On Kei, an MP and co-chair and chief executive of casino operator SJM Holdings, holds a 72% stake in Macau Slot.
Leong was the fourth wife of the late gambling magnate Stanley Ho, founder of SJM and the Macau Tourism and Leisure Society (STDM), under which Macau Slot was established.
NCM/AYLS // AYLS
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