NBA Stages Macau Exhibitions with Gaming-Owned Teams Ahead of Las Vegas Expansion Decision
The Mavericks and Rockets, owned by Adelson and Fertitta, play in Macau this weekend at the Venetian Arena. The NBA nears a Las Vegas expansion decision by year-end while Macau gaming revenue has fallen for four straight months. The events target tourism and brand reach amid the league’s established betting ties.
SCCG Take — Gaming operators gain direct exposure from league events that drive visitation in softening markets. The Las Vegas decision will test how tightly sports franchises align with casino infrastructure and regulatory expectations.
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets play exhibition games in Macau on Friday and Sunday. The teams are owned by Miriam Adelson, controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, and Tilman Fertitta, who acquired Caesars Entertainment in a $17.6 billion deal this year. The NBA expects to finalise Las Vegas expansion by the end of the year.
Venetian Arena Hosts Events Amid Macau Revenue Slump
Patrick Dumont, Sands CEO and Mavericks governor, hosts the games at the Venetian Macau. The 14,000-seat Venetian Arena hosted the NBA’s first Macau game in 2007 and now approaches its 20-year anniversary. The league describes it as an NBA-ready venue that would rank last in capacity among current facilities.
There have been 26 NBA China games since 2004, with only three held in Macau. Macau gaming revenue has declined year-over-year for four consecutive months. Sands stock has plummeted nearly 45% in 2026. Stakeholders hope the games and the 1-7 October Golden Week holiday deliver a tourism boost. The events showcase the Venetian resort and broaden the Mavericks brand, per NBA.com.
Betting Ties Surface as League Eyes Las Vegas
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called for legal sports betting in a 2014 New York Times op-ed, four years before the 2018 PASPA decision. The league issued its first lifetime ban to Jontay Porter in 2024 over a betting scheme and faces an ongoing illegal betting case in New York federal court. Silver told iGB that controls are needed to prevent bettors from getting over their heads.
Fertitta purchased the Rockets for $2.2 billion in 2017. The team is now valued at around $6.3 billion. Bidding for the Las Vegas expansion franchise and arena reaches $12-$13 billion, according to ESPN. This weekend’s games occur as the NBA has submitted comments to the CFTC on prediction market rules that stress integrity.
This coverage draws from reporting by iGaming Business.
Reporting: iGaming Business (iGB)
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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