HONG KONG, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The
National Basketball Association (NBA) has actually signed a
multi-year agreement with
Macau casino operator Sands China, to play
pre-season video games in Macau, a
relocation that comes as
authorities prompt the
gambling establishment industry to
diversify away from
gambling.
The contract, which was reported by
regional media outlets on Friday and
verified to
Reuters by a source with
understanding of the offer, sets the scene for an
NBA legends star video game on Dec. 7 that Sands is because of host at its
Venetian home.
The
NBA plans to host two
pre-season games each year for the next 5 years at
Sands' Venetian arena. It will start in October next year,
NBA's deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told
regional media at an
interview in Macau on Friday.
Macau, a
special administrative area of China, is the only place in the nation where
citizens have the
ability to
legally gamble in
casinos.
It's
federal government and
Beijing have actually been urging the six
certified casinos - Wynn Macau, Sands China, SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment, Melco and
MGM China - to
increase their
percentage of income from
non-gaming.
Macau's economy is greatly based on the
gambling establishment market which
contributes to around 80% of
regional tax profits.
Last year
Macau's government rolled out its first
plan fixated a
technique where tourist and
leisure are the primary pillars, supported by emerging markets
including conventional Chinese medication, health,
financial services, technology in addition to conventions, exhibits, trade,
culture and sports.
(
Reporting by Farah Master
Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
