Donations for Wuhan
International gambling companies are pledging money in a bid to help stop China’s deadly coronavirus. Now declared an “international public health emergency” by the World Health Organization (WHO), China and governments across the world are desperately trying to stop it spreading.
Despite their efforts, over 200 people have already died. Another two cases have been confirmed in the UK today, meaning that the virus has now spread to 23 different countries across the globe.
hope that their donations will aid in either containing the virus or finding a cure
Meg-Star Group and Melco Resorts and Entertainment have announced that they will be donating money to help the city at the heart of the outbreak, Wuhan in China. The companies hope that their donations will aid in either containing the virus or finding a cure.
Special fund announced
The Macau-based company operates nine VIP rooms in the Chinese territory and focuses on luxury experiences. Through the charity, they have now pledged to create the “Wuhan Coronavirus Special Fund” in the hope of facilitating measures to end the epidemic in Wuhan.
The fund has been established with $1.24m to start. It will be used to fund medical supplies for the city and surrounding province. The charity hopes to work with other non-profit organizations to make it happen.
Medical supplies
Melco Resorts and International is also looking to help where it can. The company has set aside $2.6m for Wuhan and the Hubei province. Similar to Meg-Star, Melco wants to ensure that suitable medical supplies available, and that local communities receive the support they need.
In a speech announcing the funding, Melco chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Wuhan and Huei, and all those who are impacted by the new strain of the coronavirus. We hope this donation helps accelerate the preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus.”
He also confirmed that the company fully supports the government’s initiatives.
Gambling firms losing out
Wuhan has suspended all travel, including flights. As a result, caution has spread across the rest of China and further afield.
While gambling is still illegal in China, the province of Macau has reported huge losses due to a lack of tourism from the mainland.
spread of coronavirus has also hampered Macau’s gross gaming revenue for the first month of the year
Due to the spread of the virus around Golden Week, Chinese New Year celebrations were canceled. The spread of coronavirus has also hampered Macau’s gross gaming revenue for the first month of the year, with casino operators issuing profit warnings.
Share prices have also nosedived for large casino operators, including MGM China Holdings and the Galaxy Entertainment Group LTD.
