SJM Chairman Dr Ambrose So has described eSports as an opportunity for Macau to develop its tourism and leisure business after the company’s Grand Lisboa Hotel sponsored the MDL Macau Dota2 International Elite Invitational over the weekend.
The event, held at Macau University Music Hall from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 December, saw nine teams from China, USA, Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines and Peru compete for a share of a US$300,000 prize pool, with European qualifier Team OG claiming the US$130,000 first prize.
“MDL Macau Dota2 International Elite Invitational is held in Macau for the first time, and Grand Lisboa Hotel as a landmark of Macau is pleased to offer our support,” Dr So said.
“eSports is an emerging industry with huge growth potential and global viewership. Macau is put in the limelight with this major eSports tournament, which we believe will further benefit the development of the city’s tourism and leisure business.”
In a press release, SJM said that by having Grand Lisboa Hotel as title sponsor it hoped to provide an international tournament experience with local Macau characteristics for global DOTA2 players and viewers. The event was attended by hip-hop star Gosh from Chongqing of China and NBA basketball star Jeremy Lin.
eSports has begun to attract the attention of Macau’s operators in 2017, with Studio City hosting the Girl Gamer 2017 eSports Festival in September and MGM co-Chairperson and Executive Director Ms Pansy Ho stating last month her desire to see Macau become “the preferred base for eSports in Asia.”
