Macau’s concessionaires could soon turn to virtual performers to keep pace with rising competition in global entertainment scene
Summary
Macau’s gaming operators are increasingly looking at virtual performers and digital pop stars as a solution to fill venues and maintain the city’s entertainment appeal amid fierce global competition. Speaking at IAG EXPO in Manila, Sands China veteran David Baxley argued there simply aren’t enough headline acts to go around, and pointed to the success of productions like ABBA Voyage as proof that virtual residencies and AI-driven artists can be commercially viable. Executives from Galaxy and other operators noted the high cost of booking global stars and the need to programme shows that attract both today’s young audiences and the traditional gaming demographic. The discussion also touched on Macau’s expanding non-gaming venue capacity and the strategic tension with nearby competitors such as Hong Kong.
Key Points
- Operators face a shortage of headline human performers able to fill venues on a weekly basis.
- Virtual residencies (eg ABBA Voyage) have proven commercially successful and may be adopted in Macau.
- AI-created digital pop stars could develop their own fan bases and offer an alternative entertainment pipeline.
- Booking major global acts is increasingly costly and competitive, with cities and regions worldwide vying for the same talent.
- Macau’s venue growth since 2019 has increased show volume but not the pool of ‘needle-moving’ performers.
- There is strategic value in programming that appeals both to younger visitors and to the core gaming demographic.
- Competition from Hong Kong’s larger stadiums is pushing Macau to consider building bigger venues in future.
Why should I read this?
Look — if you care about Macau’s tourism and gaming future, this is worth a quick skim. The piece explains why venues might soon feature virtual pop stars and AI-generated performers, not as sci-fi hype but as a real response to talent shortages, runaway booking costs and stiff regional competition. It’s basically the industry thinking aloud about how to keep shows fresh and the punters coming back.
Context and relevance
This story sits at the intersection of entertainment tech, tourism strategy and gaming economics. Macau has tripled show volumes since 2019 with new arenas, but the finite supply of global headliners and escalating appearance fees mean operators must explore alternatives to sustain visitation and revenue. The success of high-tech virtual residencies overseas demonstrates a workable template; adopting similar formats could help Macau differentiate itself, attract younger audiences and reduce reliance on scarce real-world talent. The move also reflects broader trends: increased use of AI and digital IP in live entertainment, and intensified competition among regional entertainment hubs.