SJM Resorts, one of Macau’s six licensed casino operators, has taken a strategic step outside the gambling hub by investing in Hengqin, a neighboring Chinese island just across the Lotus Bridge from the Cotai Strip. This move represents a broader push by gaming firms to diversify their portfolios through non-gaming development.
Founded by the legendary Stanley Ho, SJM Resorts held a monopoly on gambling in Macau for decades. Now led by his daughter Daisy Ho, the company is embracing the future by branching into hospitality. SJM has finalized the ¥724 million RMB (US$101 million) acquisition of 12 floors in a high-rise located at 59 Jilin Road in Hengqin. The property will be transformed into a three-star boutique hotel offering up to 250 guest rooms.
This expansion is not merely a real estate move. It aligns with national policies encouraging cross-border tourism and integration between Hengqin and Macau, both key areas in the Greater Bay Area development initiative.
“We believe in the long-term growth of Hengqin-Macau tourism, and this project reflects our support for China’s integration strategy,” said Daisy Ho. The hotel will target business and leisure travelers, providing a more affordable lodging option compared to the luxury-heavy offerings in Macau.
Land scarcity in Macau has driven interest in Hengqin, especially for non-gaming ventures. Although Macau remains the world’s richest gaming market — reporting $28.3 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024 — its hotel capacity lags behind Las Vegas, offering only 43,200 rooms compared to Vegas’ 150,600.
In exchange for 10-year license renewals in 2022, Macau’s six casino operators pledged over $16 billion in non-gaming investments, primarily within Macau’s borders. SJM’s Hengqin hotel, however, is independent of that commitment and represents an additional strategic investment.
The property is ideally located near the Hengqin Port, serviced by Guangzhou–Zhuhai Intercity Railway and the Macao LRT. With new entry relaxations for mainland Chinese tourists, cross-border travel is seeing sustained growth — making this hotel a well-timed opportunity to meet rising demand.
This move strengthens SJM Resorts’ position not just as a gaming giant, but as a key player in shaping Southern China’s tourism future.
