AGP Executive Report

Cross-border scam crackdown: Macau’s Judiciary Police joined forces with nine anti-fraud centres under the “FRONTIER+” platform, targeting online shopping, task scams, fake investments and impersonation. The wider operation across 10 territories led to 3,018 arrests and 102,000 bank accounts frozen, with losses topping 6 billion patacas. Fraud arrests: PJ also nabbed a woman from the mainland for cheating two illegal currency exchange dealers using counterfeit casino chips and QR-code transfers. Public finance: A 60% personal income tax rebate for 2024 starts tomorrow, capped at MOP 14,000 per taxpayer. Municipal services: The Municipal Kennel’s temporary service point opens June 1 during renovations. Sports & culture: Sands China confirmed the Macau Open Badminton returns June 16–21, while the 36th Macao Arts Festival adds an extra performance of “Her Dynasty” on June 26.

Tax Rebates Start: Macau’s 2024 personal income tax rebate—60% of tax paid, capped at 14,000 patacas per person—kicks off tomorrow, with DSF saying payments will land by bank transfer for registered taxpayers or by crossed cheque for others (cheques expected to arrive early next month). Scam Warning: Judiciary Police stopped a mainland man from losing 1 million yuan in a “fake police” phone scam, and also flagged two more local victims who lost a combined 579,960 patacas earlier this week. Cross-Border Justice: Macau and Kazakhstan signed three criminal judicial cooperation deals covering mutual legal assistance, extradition, and transfer of sentenced persons. Sports & Culture: MGM’s “HAHALULU” exhibition has been extended to One Central, while Sands China confirmed the Macau Open Badminton 2026 returns June 16–21. Public Health & Services: IAM warned of fraudulent donation impersonations, and announced the Municipal Kennel’s temporary closure from June 1 with a temporary service point set up the same day.

Food Safety Crackdown: IAM ordered a Travessa do Padre Soares eatery to stop selling a rice dish after a random sample tested “unsatisfactory” for Clostridium perfringens, and also told staff to take food hygiene training. More Contamination Alerts: IAM also suspended two “siu-mei” products from another shop after samples came back “unsatisfactory” for Listeria monocytogenes, with follow-up inspections required. Public Engagement Push: IAM launched a new webpage, “Municipal Affairs in Service to the Public,” aiming to make municipal updates easier to find and boost resident participation in urban governance. Health Watch: Macau stepped up Ebola-related screening and preparedness after WHO declared the DRC-Uganda outbreak a public health emergency. Tourism & Culture: MGTO says Macau won “Asia’s Best Luxury Destination,” while the Children’s Arts Festival is set to expand, with about 1,000 programmes and 300,000 expected participants.

Sports Calendar: FIBA has confirmed two new stops for the FIBA 3x3 Men’s World Tour 2026, including Macau (Oct 17-18), plus extra Challengers events across Asia and Europe. Local Governance: The IAM is launching a new public webpage, “Municipal Affairs in Service to the Public,” to make municipal updates and service channels easier to follow. Infrastructure Disruption: Amizade Bridge maintenance starts this Saturday, with single-lane traffic on approach ramps in phases until mid-August. Health Watch: Macau has stepped up Ebola-related screenings for travellers from affected regions, even as officials say the immediate risk is low. Gaming & Business: Asia Pioneer Entertainment (APE) expands beyond gaming hardware by signing a distribution deal with Germany’s CountR for cash-handling kiosks across Asia. Tourism Spotlight: Macau has been named Asia’s Best Luxury Destination, with MGTO pointing to a sharp 84.5% jump in Russian visitors in Q1.

Municipal Services Push: IAM will launch a new dedicated webpage, “Municipal Affairs in Service to the Public,” from 19 May, aiming to make municipal updates more transparent and easier for residents to track and engage with. Public Health Alert: Macau’s Health Bureau is urging vigilance against Ebola after WHO declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with added checks at borders, medical institutions, and the community. Infrastructure Update: The Friendship Bridge gets a 90-day maintenance start this Saturday, with lanes on both ends cut from two to one as repairs begin. Gaming & Tech: Angel says its smart tables now cover over 90% of casino floors, with full coverage “on the horizon,” while APE expands its Asia distribution deal for CountR automated cash-handling products. Tourism Spotlight: Macau has been named “Asia’s Best Luxury Destination 2026,” as MGTO points to rising visitor numbers, including a sharp jump in Russian arrivals.

Markets & Gaming: A JPMorgan analyst warns MGM stock could get more volatile if Caesars is taken private, removing one major public “proxy” for Las Vegas Strip sentiment. Macau Economy & Finance: MGM China shareholders approved a final HKD0.353 dividend for 2025, with Moody’s also downgrading SJM’s credit rating to B1 while expecting leverage to stay elevated. Public Policy & Daily Life: Macau’s civil service bureau rejects claims of “invisible overtime,” while a three-sided outdoor smoking booth is being trialled as smoke-free rules tighten. Culture & Community: Macau named “Asia’s Best Luxury Destination 2026,” and the International Museum Day Carnival drew crowds with 26 museums and hands-on activities. Regional Watch: In Hong Kong, closing arguments begin in the Tiananmen activists’ national security trial, with prosecutors saying freedom of speech isn’t absolute. Health & Safety: The Health Bureau urges travellers to stay vigilant over hantavirus risks linked to an Atlantic cruise.

Luxury & Culture: Macau just landed “Asia’s Best Luxury Destination 2026” at LUXE Asia in Shanghai, while the Macao International Museum Day Carnival kept crowds busy with 26 museums, workshops and performances. Public Health: The Health Bureau is urging travellers to stay alert to a hantavirus situation tied to an Atlantic cruise ship, with hygiene and rodent-avoidance advice. Civic Life: The Legislative Assembly’s Open Day drew 4,300 visits (+62.3%), and the INCLUSION Conference & Festival starts today with free admission sessions and a “Macau Golf Masters” run. Business & Markets: Chow Tai Fook opened its first global flagship store in Hong Kong, and Sompo named Megan Yeung senior casualty underwriter for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Cultural Spotlight: Macao’s International Museum Day Carnival 2026 kicked off today at Lotus Square, with 26 museums teaming up for games, Cantonese Opera for kids, and workshops ahead of 18 May. Business & Diversification: O MEDIA launched “Access Macau,” a new unit offering practical market-entry support for international firms, tied to concessionaires’ US$16.3bn non-gaming investment commitments for 2023-2032. Regional Finance: OCBC says it will expand wealth management in Hong Kong and Macau, hiring 30–50 relationship managers in 2026 and opening a Premier Private Client Centre for clients with at least US$1m in assets. Gaming Industry Watch: RWS management is pushing ahead with its casino transformation but rejects comparisons with Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, citing different priorities. Sports & Entertainment: Enhypen’s “Bite Me” and “Sweet Venom” keep climbing on Spotify, and the group’s tour includes Macau in October. Community & Cross-border Life: The Social Security Fund held Hengqin outreach sessions explaining new cross-border convenience rules for Macao residents.

Casino Transformation: Genting Singapore says Resorts World Sentosa’s RWS 2.0 casino overhaul is a priority, but rejects “unfair” comparisons with Marina Bay Sands, pointing to different missions—RWS is mandated to lean harder on non-gaming attractions. China-US Diplomacy: Xi Jinping used the Temple of Heaven’s “harmony” message to frame China-US coexistence as Foreign Minister Wang Yi briefed on summit “common understandings.” Macao Economy & Housing: Macau’s Q1 GDP was revised up to MOP107.56b (+7.1% y/y), while DSEC data showed rents easing in Q1 and the Monetary Authority reported mortgage approvals rising but commercial lending slipping. MICE & Cross-border Services: Macao and Hengqin won MICE awards, and the Social Security Fund rolled out new Hengqin convenience measures for residents. Sports & Culture: Macau’s youth music competition applications open late May, while regional sports coverage highlights Karate One Youth League results and coaching appointments.

China-US Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Wang Yi briefed reporters after President Trump’s May 13-15 state visit, calling the Xi-Trump talks “historic” and saying both sides reached common understandings on major China-US issues. Macao-Hengqin MICE Push: Macao and Hengqin won awards at an Asia-Pacific corporate conference expo—Macao for “Best Destination for Annual Meetings,” and Hengqin’s cooperation zone unit for “Best Innovative Unit for MICE Policies,” backing the “multi-venue event” model. Local Economy Watch: DSEC data shows Q1 2026 GDP at MOP107.56b (+7.1% real YoY), with services exports rising on visitor arrivals, while domestic demand looks uneven. Housing & Credit Signals: Q1 rents edged down (residential -0.4% QoQ), and March mortgage approvals jumped (+65.3% MoM) even as commercial loan approvals fell. Wealth Management: OCBC Hong Kong plans a premier private client push later in 2026, hiring 30-50 relationship managers as wealth income surged. Culture & Community: Applications open for the 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition (25 Jul-6 Aug), and the “Happy Family Month” expands across Hengqin with 400+ events.

Karate Spotlight: Eduardo Berco III fought back on Day 2 of the Karate One-Youth League Manila, but a 1-5 loss to Macau’s Hang Lao Cheok left him seventh in the junior men’s -61kg after a repechage run. Regional MICE Push: Macao and Hengqin picked up two awards at an APCAC gala—Macao named “Best Destination for Annual Meetings,” while Hengqin’s Economic Development Bureau won for innovative MICE policy support—backing the “multi-venue event” model. Macao Economy Watch: First-quarter GDP rose 7.1% year-on-year in real terms, with exports of services up 12.8% as visitor arrivals stayed strong. Housing & Finance: Q1 rents eased slightly (residential -0.4% QoQ), while March mortgage approvals jumped (new residential mortgage loans +65.3% MoM) even as commercial real estate lending fell. Cross-border Convenience: The Social Security Fund held Hengqin briefings on the revised two-tier system, including new rules that count time spent in the Cooperation Zone as SAR time. Tech in Gaming: At G2E Asia, LT Game drew overseas interest with its second-gen AI robot dealer “Samantha.”

Karate One-Youth: Eduardo Berco III put up the best Filipino showing on Day 2, bouncing back after an opening loss to Ukraine’s Maksym Viechikanov, then beating Scotland and Mwtt Witharana—before falling 1-5 to Macau’s Hang Lao Cheok to finish seventh in the junior men’s -61kg. Local Economy Watch: Macau’s Q1 GDP rose 7.1% year-on-year in real terms to MOP107.56 billion, with service exports up as visitor arrivals picked up. Cross-Border Social Security: The Social Security Fund held Hengqin briefings for the revised two-tier system, including a key rule that time spent in the Cooperation Zone counts as time in Macau. Housing & Money Signals: DSEC data showed average rents easing in Q1, while the Monetary Authority reported foreign exchange reserves at MOP232.8 billion at end-April and mobile payments continuing to grow. Transport Pulse: LRT ridership hit 9.62 million in 2025, up 79%, with Hengqin Station the busiest stop.

Macau’s “Sports Plus” push: Mario Ho used the G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo to argue Macau must pivot from gaming-only to a sports-and-entertainment model, saying sports can “fill hotels” and connect youth culture across borders. Gaming finance: MGM China completed a US$750m notes issue due 2033, while Studio City moved ahead with a US$196m tender redemption for 2027 notes. Expo tech: LT Game showed its 2nd-gen AI robot dealer “Samantha” at the IR expo, with overseas interest flagged from South Korea and Europe. Public health: The Health Bureau says 89% of registered hypertension patients received treatment in 2024. Transport lift: Macau’s LRT carried 9.62m passengers in 2025, up 79%, with Hengqin Station the busiest. Customs crackdown: Gongbei Customs seized 25 live ornamental saltwater fish at HZMB. Culture on stage: Two CCM performances blend intangible heritage with modern entertainment, as the Macau Arts Festival continues.

Biopharma Deal: Bristol Myers Squibb and China’s Hengrui Pharma signed a collaboration worth up to US$15.2 billion, pairing 13 early-stage oncology/immune programs—with Hengrui set to run early clinical development and BMS holding worldwide rights outside mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Sports & Culture: India’s Aparna stunned the reigning world champion to win gold in women’s 52kg sanda at the Wushu World Cup in Macau. Local Life: Macau’s International Museum Day Carnival 2026 kicks off 17 May at Lotus Square, with performances, games, workshops and free museum openings across May. Health Watch: Macau confirmed its first imported malaria case of the year, involving a mainland traveler returning from Nigeria. Tech in Macau: ROBO SPACE showcased AI robot entertainment and automated drink-making at G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo at The Venetian.

Gaming AI & regulation: At G2E Asia in Macau, industry leaders warned that “regulatory hurdles” are slowing tech progress, arguing regulators often don’t fully understand new tools like cashless payments and facial recognition—while calling for earlier regulator-industry collaboration. Local jobs push: Macau’s Labour Affairs Bureau urged young jobseekers to enter the labour market first, noting unemployment for residents hit a record-low 2.1% in Q1 even as employers still need shift-based frontline workers. Health update: Macau confirmed its first imported malaria case of the year, involving a 47-year-old man who traveled to Nigeria and is in serious condition. Public health benefits: Health e-vouchers were extended for use in Guangdong from next month (700 patacas, valid for two years). IR spotlight: G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo continues at The Venetian, with Macau targeting 3 million international visitors in 2026 and pushing new source markets. Business/finance: Las Vegas Sands completed a US$1bn senior notes issuance to redeem its 2026 notes, citing improved credit metrics and a slow Macau rebound.

G2E Asia momentum in Macau: The Venetian Macao is hosting G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo (May 12–14), drawing about 8,000 professionals from 90+ countries, with Macau’s diversification push front and center—plus fresh debate on how gaming operators are fighting for players amid hotel-key limits and rising costs. Tourism push: MGTO says it’s aiming for 3 million international visitors in 2026, with Europe promotion ramping up and Middle East plans paused. Local governance pressure: A Taipa “Smart Nursery” dispute with the Social Welfare Bureau is still under CCAC review after subsidy and premises issues. Business and finance: Studio City Company reported results of its tender offer for 2027 notes, while Galaxy Entertainment reshuffled independent directors. Health and science: Bristol Myers Squibb and China’s Hengrui signed a deal worth up to $15.2B for 13 early-stage drug programs. Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to intensify from tomorrow through Friday.