Macau’s six casino operators and junket firms working with those have donated more than $25 million for research, prevention, and treatment of the novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases has now exceeded 40,000 worldwide.
The coronavirus outbreak has forced Macau’s casinos to close doors for 15 days from midnight on February 5.
As reported by local gaming news outlet GGRAsia, the six companies authorized to provide casino gambling services on the territory of Macau and their junket partners have so far donated more than MOP200 million (approx. $25 million) for various efforts aiming to tackle the deadly virus that has claimed 910 lives so far.
Casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. announced that it has donated MOP20 million (approx. $2.5 million) through its Galaxy Entertainment Group Foundation to China’s Hubei province, which is where the coronavirus was first detected.
The company said that the money was intended to help tackle the worsening situation and “assist in relief efforts.” Galaxy’s foundation donated another MOP5 million to support prevention initiatives in the Macau community.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment, the Lawrence Ho-led casino operator, revealed that it was working with the government of Macau to donate HK$20 million (approx. $2.6 million). The money was directed toward initiatives aiming to help the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus. The company said that its donation would be used to purchase medical supplies and to support the local community.
Casino Donations Keep Coming as Death Toll Tops SARS
MGM China Holdings, MGM Resorts International subsidiary that runs its Macau properties, has donated MOP20 million to Hubei province for the purchase of “preventive and medical supplies” as well as any materials and equipment that are urgently needed.
Sands China, the local subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands, has too donated MOP20 million to assist Mainland China in its efforts to tackle the virus. The company has given another MOP5 million to “support the local community in implementing preventive measures.”
SJM Holdings has donated MOP20 million to aid relief efforts and coronavirus control initiatives in Hubei province.
Wynn Macau has, too, donated MOP20 million to Hubei province to help combat the spread of the deadly virus there. The company said last week that it is losing around $2.6 million a day due to the closure of its Macau properties.
Junket firms have also donated money to help prevent and tackle the virus. Suncity Group, one of Macau’s largest casino promoters, has given MOP30 million (approx. $3.8 million) to Mainland China authorities that are tasked with finding ways to control the virus outbreak.
The group has said that it would also donate 100,000 much-needed face masks to Hubei province and another 100,000 face masks to Macau authorities.
Junket operators Meg-Star Group and Guangdong Group have each donated MOP10 million for the purchase of medical supplies and preventive work in Mainland China and Macau.
As mentioned earlier, the coronavirus death toll has now reached 910 and has topped the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2003, according to official data.
Source: Over US$25mln in coronavirus aid by Macau casinos, junkets
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