Sands China Ltd, the casino operator, saw its stock surge 6.18% in the intraday trading session on Thursday. The rally was fueled by optimism surrounding the incoming chief executive of Macau, Sam Hou Fai, and his potential to implement policies that could drive more tourism from mainland China to the gambling hub.

Analysts view Sam's background, hailing from the neighboring Guangdong province, as a promising sign for improved cross-border connections between Macau and mainland China. One key opportunity lies in facilitating easier access for mainland tourists to Hengqin island, a special economic zone just across the border that could effectively add thousands of hotel rooms within an hour's reach of Macau's Cotai Strip.

With Macau's gaming revenues still lagging pre-pandemic levels, attracting more of China's burgeoning middle-class gamblers and tourists is seen as crucial for casino operators like Sands China. Policies that ease movement and bolster infrastructure linking Macau and Hengqin could unlock pent-up demand, filling hotel rooms and driving increased gambling spend.