Macau Casino Heir Mario Ho Becomes Owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics

Key Facts:

• Mario Ho is now a co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics
• Ho is the son of the late Stanley Ho
• Ho’s father held a monopoly on casino gambling in Macau

The $6.1 billion acquisition of the NBA’s Boston Celtics recently reached completion, marking a significant shift in ownership. The purchasing group, spearheaded by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm, saw the inclusion of Mario Ho, a 30-year-old benefactor of a substantial fortune passed down from his father, Stanley Ho, famously known as the “King of Gambling.”

The NBA’s unanimous approval of the Celtics’ ownership transfer from former owner Wyc Grousbeck to Chisholm’s collective marked a significant milestone in sports history, with the $6.1 billion figure standing until the Los Angeles Lakers later raised the bar with a chunk of their franchise fetching a staggering $10 billion.

Chisholm’s investor roster includes Mario Ho, who is among Stanley Ho’s 17 children. The elder Ho passed away in 2020 at the ripe age of 98.

“I’m proud to announce I’ve become a co-owner and board member of the Boston Celtics!” Ho declared on his social media handle. “Thank you, Bill, for letting me join this consortium and partake in this record-breaking deal.”

Ho expressed his deep-rooted admiration for the Celtics, describing his commitment to the team and stating, “Tears of joy cloud my eyes as I write this. This is undoubtedly one of the happiest moments of my life.”

Ho Family Fortune

While the precise amount Ho contributed to the $6.1 billion transaction remains undisclosed, Chisholm did confirm that he secured at least 51% control, facilitating the ownership transfer. The wealth of the Ho family is estimated around $17 billion, though individual fortunes remain unspecified.

Besides his stake in the Celtics, Mario Ho has diversified his interests by venturing into esports and hospitality, leveraging the wealth generated from his father’s long-standing monopoly over Macau’s lucrative casino industry until it was returned to China by Portugal the turn of the century.

Ho commands a major stake in Beijing Huanju Commercial Management, an enterprise focusing on immersive entertainment at casino resorts. He also founded NIP Group, aiming to promote competitive video gaming across the United States.

Among Mario’s siblings, Lawrence Ho oversees Melco Resorts, one of Macau’s major gaming corporations, while Pansy Ho holds significant shares in MGM Resorts’ Chinese operations. Another sibling, Daisy Ho, maintains control over their late father’s business empire, including SJM Holdings and Shun Tak Holdings.

Youngest NBA Owner

Mario Ho’s investment in the Boston Celtics scores him the title of the youngest co-owner in the history of the NBA. Prior to Ho, Robert Pera was recognised as the youngest with the purchase of the Memphis Grizzlies at age 34 in 2012 for $377 million. Pera is the founder and CEO of a global communications enterprise, Ubiquiti Inc., which he took public in 2011.

As of 2025, Pera’s net worth is believed to be nearly $20 billion.

Conclusion

This remarkable ownership transition not only elevates Mario Ho as a prominent figure within the NBA but further signifies the intertwining of sports and the gambling industry, especially within the context of Macau’s evolving gaming landscape.