Patrick Dumont Remains Bullish on Macau Despite Recent GGR Slowdown
Macau.- 13 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Patrick Dumont remains positive on Macau’s long-term outlook despite the recent slowdown in gross gaming revenue.
He believes tourism, non-gaming investment and potentially stronger US-China relations can continue supporting growth in the world’s largest casino market.
Four Consecutive Year-on-Year Declines
Macau recorded four consecutive months of year-on-year gaming revenue declines through September 2026.
September GGR reached approximately MOP18.06 billion, or US$2.23 billion, down 1.2% from the same month last year.
Year-to-Date Performance Still Positive
Despite recent weakness, the year-to-date result remains positive.
GGR for the first nine months of 2026 reached approximately MOP187.11 billion, representing 3.2% growth year-on-year.
Dumont Maintains Confidence
Dumont said Sands continues to believe in Macau’s underlying appeal.
The CEO highlighted tourism in particular as an industry capable of driving investment, economic exchange and visitor flows.
US-China Relations
Dumont also serves on the board of the U.S.-China Business Council.
He believes improved relations between the world’s two largest economies would benefit both sides and could indirectly support tourism and Sands’ Macau operations.
US$3.5 Billion in Non-Gaming Investment
Sands China committed approximately US$3.5 billion to non-gaming projects as part of its ten-year concession.
The strategy also supports the Macau Government’s objective of diversifying the economy beyond casino gaming.
Cotai Expo Expansion
Investment has included an expansion of exhibition and convention space at The Venetian Macao.
Cotai Expo added almost 200,000 square feet of space, strengthening the group’s position in the MICE segment.
Venetian Arena Upgrade
The Venetian Arena has also undergone substantial reinvestment.
The venue has been upgraded to host major sporting and entertainment events, supporting the strategy of using live experiences to drive visitation.
New Attractions at The Londoner
The Londoner has added a conservatory and garden covering approximately 538,000 square feet.
The project expands the range of experiences available to tourists beyond gaming.
Hotel Renovations
Sands also renovated all 2,900 suites at The Venetian.
Thousands of rooms at The Londoner have also been upgraded as part of a wider enhancement of the group’s hotel offering.
Sports as a Tourism Driver
The Venetian Arena recently hosted NBA preseason games.
Events of this type form part of the wider Macau strategy to attract visitors through international entertainment, sport and live events.
No Interest in Prediction Markets
Dumont also reiterated that Las Vegas Sands has no plans to enter prediction markets.
The company therefore maintains its long-standing opposition to digital gambling and continues to prioritise in-person integrated-resort experiences.
Focus on Physical Experiences
For Sands, face-to-face interaction remains at the core of its business proposition.
Hotels, restaurants, entertainment, conventions and casino gaming form an experience Dumont believes is fundamentally different from mobile-based wagering.
Next Steps or Impact
The recent GGR slowdown has not changed Sands’ Macau strategy.
The company will continue investing in non-gaming attractions, tourism and large-scale physical experiences as long-term growth drivers.
The key challenge will be whether that diversification can sustain higher visitation and spending while Macau’s gaming market goes through a period of more moderate growth.
Editó: @fonta
