Posted on: September 15, 2025, 09:08h.
Last updated on: September 15, 2025, 10:02h.
- Casinos in Macau are considering virtual live entertainment
- “ABBA Voyage” could overhaul casino residencies
Macau casinos are considering a bet on virtual “live” entertainment that allows concertgoers to see their favorite acts — both present and past — who aren’t actually in the building.
Speaking at an event hosted by Inside Asian Gaming regarding Macau casinos’ commitment to driving gaming by nongaming, an initiative forced by the Chinese government when it rid the casino enclave of VIP junket groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives from the six concessionaires said one area they’re considering is virtual entertainment.
There are not enough Jacky Cheungs and Bruno Mars to fill the venues,” David Baxley, regional vice president for Sands China and Marina Bay Sands, told moderator and IAG founder Andrew Scott.
Part of Macau’s pivot from a high roller-first mentality to the mass and premium-mass markets is luring in new visitors with first-rate entertainment. The Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR) has quickly become a destination for major K-pop concerts and events.
Virtual Entertainment
There are only so many headlining acts to occupy Macau’s many large theaters and concert halls. Though many A-list stars have played the Cotai Strip recently, Baxley says there’s a demand for more entertainment. Virtual entertainment, like the endlessly popular “ABBA Voyage” show in London, could help.
“ABBA Voyage” doesn’t use holograms but avatars of the Swedish pop group formed in the 1970s that remains among the most renowned and commercially successful music groups in history. The disco/Europop icons worked with George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic to produce a concert residency that involves virtual avatars — called “ABBAtars” — of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad performing alongside a live band.
ABBA Voyage, a $175 million production, has gone on to become one of the most successful musical residencies in world history. In May, the spectacle celebrated its third anniversary at the custom-built ABBA Arena in London. The show is rumored to come to Resorts World Las Vegas next year.
Baxley says the need for A-list entertainment isn’t limited to Macau.
Every continent now has markets that didn’t exist before. They all want the same people to fill their stadiums — it’s just not possible,” he told IAG.
Macau is home to many large-scale event venues, including the 16K-seat Galaxy Arena, the 14K-seat Venetian Arena, and The Londoner Arena’s 6,000 seats. The city is also planning a large outdoor amphitheater that will be able to accommodate 80K people.
Macau Market Upgrades
Years after most other major gaming markets experienced their pandemic rebounds, Macau in 2025 is experiencing its most significant COVID-19 comeback. The city’s gaming industry, the world’s largest in terms of annual gross gaming revenue (GGR), was recently upgraded by major brokerages, including Citigroup.
With Macau surprising many, as its pivot toward the general public has so far been a winning bet, with GGR climbing 7.2% from 2024 through August, Citigroup upped its full-year outlook from 7% to 10% year-over-year growth.
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