On October 20, 2007, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic during the NBA's inaugural game in Macau, a key global gaming hub. This weekend, the focus shifts to Macau as two NBA teams from Texas, the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, prepare for exhibition matches set to take place on Friday and Sunday.
Miriam Adelson, the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, owns the Mavericks, while the Rockets belong to Tilman Fertitta, a prominent figure in the gambling and entertainment sectors who recently acquired Caesars Entertainment in a deal valued at $17.6 billion.
Since the beginning of the NBA's expansion in China in 2004, there have been 26 games, but only three have occurred in Macau. Following the Cavaliers vs. Magic match in 2007, it took 18 years for the NBA to return to the region, with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets playing two games last preseason. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have been the primary hosts for most of the NBA's games in China.
This year's lineup features significant stars, including two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant of the Rockets and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, who was selected first overall by the Mavericks in the 2025 draft and was named Rookie of the Year last season. Nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving will also make a highly anticipated return to the court about 19 months after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL in March 2025.
The NBA is expected to finalize its expansion into Las Vegas by the end of this year. Speculation arose earlier this year regarding the potential relocation of the Mavericks after the team controversially traded All-NBA guard Luka Doncic in February 2025. Although the rumors suggested the Adelsons might consider moving the team, the Mavericks quickly dismissed them. Currently, they are leveraging their gaming relationships, with this weekend's events being predominantly hosted by Sands CEO and Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont at the Venetian Macau.
As stated by NBA.com, this trip is an opportunity to showcase the Venetian resort, casino, and arena, while also allowing the Mavericks to expand their branding and appeal to a broader fan base. The NBA views its presence in Macau as a significant marketing tool, and for Sands, it represents a chance to enhance both its casino and the Mavericks’ global reach.
The Venetian Arena, which was only two months old during the 2007 game, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Although labeled as an "NBA-ready" venue, it ranks at the bottom among current NBA facilities for seating capacity, holding 14,000.
Sands remains the world’s largest casino operator, despite seeing its stock drop nearly 45% in 2026. Macau’s gaming revenue has dwindled consistently over the past four months, but hopes are high that the NBA events, alongside the National Day Golden Week holiday from October 1-7, will boost tourism.
The NBA's deep ties to gambling add context to its activities in Macau and Las Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was a pioneer in advocating for sports betting legalization, voicing support in a New York Times op-ed back in 2014, four years before the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports gambling. Silver argued that betting laws should evolve in light of changing trends and urged Congress to create a federal framework for sports betting.
Betting has become an increasingly important aspect for the association, especially following various scandals. In 2024, the league imposed its first-ever lifetime ban on former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for participating in a betting scheme. Additionally, a high-profile illegal betting case involving several ex-players is currently winding through a federal court in New York just weeks ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 season.
While the NBA has not pursued partnerships with prediction markets like other sports leagues, endorsements for such platforms have emerged from prominent players, including LeBron James with Polymarket and Giannis Antetokounmpo with Kalshi. Earlier this year, the league reiterated the necessity of maintaining integrity in its operations while engaging with the CFTC concerning proposed regulations for prediction markets. Silver noted the situation warrants controls to mitigate the risks associated with betting.
The Rockets also carry a historical connection to China, having once enjoyed immense popularity in the region due to former star Yao Ming, an eight-time All-Star who continues to play a significant role in basketball as the former president of the Chinese Basketball Association (2017-2024).
In 2019, the Rockets faced severe backlash after a tweet from ex-general manager Daryl Morey, supporting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, led to a diplomatic crisis that saw many Chinese partners sever ties with the league. The fallout resulted in significant revenue losses, estimated in the hundreds of millions. The NBA returned to China in earnest only last year when the Suns and Nets played in Macau.
Fertitta purchased the Rockets in 2017 for $2.2 billion, a record at the time, with current valuations around $6.3 billion. Bidding for the new Las Vegas expansion franchise is competitive, with estimates for the franchise and a new arena ranging from $12 billion to $13 billion.
