The recent lifting of Covid restrictions and the downfall of Macau's pre-pandemic junket system have given rise to a curious situation for the region's tourism. Authorities are determined to transform Macau into a global destination that relies less on gaming, yet the six gaming operators in the area remain focused predominantly on high-end gaming experiences, often sidelining other visitor groups.
Francis Lui, chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, is presenting a potential solution through what he terms a "parallel strategy." This approach aims to simultaneously develop both premium gaming options and non-gaming attractions. In an exclusive interview, Lui emphasized his alignment with government objectives, stating, "The vision in Macau is that it has to be sustainable, and you don’t want to bet on just pure gaming."
Lui acknowledges Macau’s unique status as the only location in China with legal casinos, stressing that the mainland market is vastly underexploited. He conveyed the necessity to align with government expectations in exchange for the privilege of operating casinos: "We try to understand and try to support what the government wants us to do."
As a prominent figure in Macau’s casino scene, Lui interprets the government’s message as encouragement for the industry to evolve while embracing social responsibility and creating economic value.
Lui regards Galaxy Macau's third phase of development as a reflection of the governmental vision for Macau’s future. He elaborated, "We sort of sensed it a few years back, and then we decided that Phase 3 is going to match that vision."
This phase includes a focus on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sector and an arena designed to elevate Macau's competitive edge against cities like Hong Kong and Singapore. This focus resulted in a state-of-the-art MICE facility and the recently opened Galaxy International Convention Center and Galaxy Arena, which feature an impressive 10,000 square meters (108,000 square feet) of unobstructed event space and the capacity for 16,000 attendees, complemented by luxury suites. The Galaxy Arena stands as the largest indoor venue in Macau, crowned by a 715-key Andaz hotel.
In addition to the MICE and arena developments, Galaxy has introduced two luxury hotels, Raffles and Capella, in response to shifting consumer preferences toward more diverse, multi-experiential offerings. Lui noted, "This is why we felt Capella and Raffles is the model for the next phase development."
Each of these hotels includes dedicated gaming areas with private salons and non-gaming features such as high-end restaurants, bowling alleys, golf simulators, spas, barbershops, and private cinemas.
As Lui stated, 2019’s VIP-centric business model is shifting toward a more sustainable future for Macau's casino industry. He expressed confidence that revenues are maintaining stability even as the focus evolves towards premium mass-market experiences. Currently, Galaxy Macau comprises 5,000 hotel rooms across nine brands, numerous dining options, extensive gaming facilities, and the Grand Resort Deck, which features the world’s largest rooftop wave pool.
Looking ahead to Phase 4, which is set to debut next year, Galaxy plans to introduce new luxury hotel brands, a large-scale theater, additional retail options, and its own casino. Lui anticipates that investments in the Galaxy’s total project will reach HK$100 billion (US$12.75 billion).
Lui underscored the importance of adapting to market needs, noting that the number of hotel rooms in Phase 4 has been adjusted from an originally planned 2,000-2,500 to 1,500, aligning more closely with the demand for premium accommodations. However, this adjustment poses a challenge in achieving government goals to diversify the tourism landscape in Macau.
He emphasized the critical need to balance catering to high-end clientele while advocating for more mid-market hotel offerings to accommodate a broader range of visitors.
"If you can find the space in Macau, great. But there’s a great piece of land sitting in Hengqin where the land cost is cheaper," Lui explained, highlighting opportunities for growth in the nearby special economic zone of Hengqin.
Though Galaxy no longer holds an option for land in Hengqin, Lui remains optimistic about its potential. He expressed, "We should take a look at Hengqin because when you talk about from 40 million to 50 million visitation, man, you are talking about a lot of hotel rooms to make sure they stay with us."
He envisions a future where seamless connections between Hengqin and Macau could ultimately benefit both regions, allowing visitors greater access between the two areas for entertainment as well as accommodations.
Lui recently visited Las Vegas and London, noting the importance of innovative attractions. He mentioned attending shows that effectively utilized technology to create unique experiences, suggesting that Macau must develop similar facilities to remain competitive.
Looking to the future, Lui sees potential growth opportunities both within Macau and abroad, indicating that Galaxy is working on revamping its StarWorld property and contemplating enhancements to the Broadway property next door, dependent on market conditions.
As he reflects on Galaxy’s investments, Lui reaffirms the company’s long-term commitment to Macau and expresses interest in new opportunities in jurisdictions like Japan and the UAE. Given the context of its extensive resources, the company is poised to construct premier integrated resorts with a focus on non-gaming revenue streams.
Lui took over as chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group in December 2024, after the passing of his father, founder Lui Che Woo. He notes that his role is now focused more on high-level strategic decision-making amid global uncertainties. Family control of Galaxy remains strong, with Lui and his sisters holding significant positions within the organization.
His approach to leadership promotes flexibility, encouraging future generations to carve their paths within or outside the family business. "Ownership and management are two different responsibilities," he stated, emphasizing the importance of selecting individuals who embody the company’s core values.
As he balances the demands of leadership with personal interests and family legacy, Lui's vision for Galaxy remains clear and unwavering: to help shape Macau’s future as a premier global destination.
