Local businessman and esports entrepreneur Mario Ho Yau Kwan said yesterday that sports have evolved into a powerful platform connecting culture, tourism and technology.
The 31-year-old made the remarks in a keynote speech at the G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo yesterday, as he called for Macau to position itself as a leading sports and entertainment hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
The three-day fair ended yesterday.
Ho is a co-owner of the US National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Boston Celtics, member of the All-China Youth Federation, member of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), chairman and co-CEO of NIP (Ninjas in Pyjamas) GROUP INC., and son of late Macau gaming mogul Stanley Ho Hung Sun and Angela Leong On Kei, a tourism and gaming executive and member of the Macau Legislative Assembly (AL)
Speaking at a session titled “How Sports Are Becoming Platforms of Culture, Tourism & Technology”, Ho reflected on Macau’s transformation over the years from a gaming-focused destination into an integrated tourism and entertainment city. “There’s always something special about speaking in Macau, the city where I grew up and where so much of my life has been”, Ho said.
Drawing from his experience in esports, live entertainment and professional sports [team] ownership through his role as co-owner and managing partner of the Boston Celtics, Ho introduced what he described as the “Sports Plus” model – a concept combining sports with lifestyle, tourism, and technology.
According to Ho, sports have become “one of the most powerful cross-industry platforms in the world”, capable of connecting people across cultures and generations beyond traditional business or political boundaries. He particularly highlighted the rise of esports as a defining force in modern youth culture, noting that fans today seek immersive and socially driven experiences rather than passive entertainment.
“What we see year after year is that our fans don’t simply just watch – they belong,” Ho said, referring to the global esports communities built through his company (NIP Group).
Ho also described sports as a major driver of tourism and economic activity, pointing to international events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, Formula One races and international esports tournaments as catalysts for hotel occupancy, retail spending and nightlife economies, citing destinations including Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Las Vegas as examples of cities that successfully repositioned themselves through sports and entertainment investments.
Turning to Macau, Ho said the city already possesses world-class integrated resort (IR) infrastructure, strong hospitality foundations and strategic positioning within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). However, he stressed the need for diversification beyond traditional gaming. “International sporting events, professional esports arenas, immersive large-scale entertainment experiences together could define the next chapter of Macau’s identity”, Ho said, adding that Macau has the potential to become “the sports and entertainment capital of the Asia-Pacific”.
Technology was another key focus of his speech. Ho said advancements such as AI, big data, VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) are transforming sports through athlete performance tracking, fan engagement and personalised digital content.
Looking ahead, Ho envisioned future integrated resorts evolving into “true industrial platforms” that combine professional sports arenas, esports studios, cultural spaces and innovation hubs within interconnected entertainment ecosystems. He concluded his speech by calling for stronger collaboration among governments, investors, technology companies, sports organisations and integrated resort operators to develop a “sports plus culture, tourism and technology ecosystem” across the Asia-Pacific region.
Local businessman and esports entrepreneur Mario Ho Yau Kwan, co-owner of the US National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Boston Celtics, addresses yesterday’s “How Sports Are Becoming Platforms of Culture, Tourism & Technology” session during the three-day G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
