Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd would consider revisiting the idea of a casino-resort investment overseas, should a 'suitable project' emerge.

Chairman Francis Lui Yiu Tung (pictured, centre left) was speaking during a Thursday press briefing, following the company’s release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results.

In responding to media questions, Mr Lui was non-committal about where such an overseas opportunity might come. Though he did say that Japan – due to launch a fresh application round for local governments in 2027 – would be a “really good market” to be in.

Mr Lui stated: “In Macau we believe…that we are doing quite well, the question being whether we can step onto the global stage.”

He added: “We always have that ambition, and in terms of capital [deployment], if there are good projects, we can work with the respective local governments and present to them our healthy balance sheet, giving them the confidence about our capacity for developing [a project].”

As of year-end, Galaxy Entertainment had cash and liquid investments totalling HKD36.3 billion (US$4.6 billion). That would help the group in pursuing “international expansion opportunities”, as well as in returning capital to shareholders, and funding the group’s development pipeline in Macau, noted the group’s results filing.

Mr Lui said during the Thursday media briefing: “Thailand for many years has been a good tourism country…but with the Bhumjaithai Party now in… [a] leading position of the coalition government, I believe it will take a few years for [casino resort development] talks to return to the table.”

The conservative-leaning party formed a coalition after a general election in early February. Its leadership has voiced opposition to pursuing a casino liberalisation path.

(source)