Malaysian billionaire Lim Kok Thay, boss of Genting Group, revealed as final bidder for a prized Macau casino licence

The entry of Genting into the fray may strike fear into the hearts of existing licence holders vying to keep a foothold, says gaming consultant

All six current concessionaires, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, SJM Holdings, Melco Entertainment and MGM China, have submitted bids

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The addition of GMM means there are seven bids for a maximum of six concessions to be granted under Macau’s revamped tendering process. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:15pm, 14 Sep 2022Updated: 1:06am, 15 Sep 2022

Lim Kok Thay, the billionaire chairman of Malaysia’s Genting Group, has been revealed as a bidder for a Macau casino licence, becoming the seventh and final hopeful to throw their hat into the ring before bidding closed on Wednesday evening.

The entry of Genting into the fray – the “only truly global gaming operator” – may strike fear into the hearts of the existing licence holders vying to keep a foothold, said one gaming consultant.

GMM Limited submitted a bid to the Macau government just hours before the tender closed at 5:45pm on Wednesday. According to Macau’s company registry, GMM is represented by Lim Kok Thay.

A representative from GMM confirmed the company is linked to Genting, according to TDM, Macau’s public services broadcaster.

Genting could not immediately be reached for comment.

Genting Hong Kong, a casino and cruise ship operator, filed a winding-up petition in Bermuda in January after the bankruptcy of its shipyard in Germany triggered US$2.78 billion of debt.

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