Galaxy's kings of baccarat and basketball

The StarWorld Casino, flagship of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, is hosting a 'King of Baccarat' tournament with the richest prize offered in the history of the game: HK$10 million.

The tournament's final round, which will take place on November 10-11, will be preceded by eight preliminary rounds offering HK$1 million to each winner, who will then qualify for the final. Registration began today, August 23.

Ciaran Carruthers, COO of StarWorld, said yesterday that despite the size of the purse, the tournament would have a low entry fee - HK$5,000. Guests at the Starworld will have a chance to gain free entry through a scratch-card game.

''We are positive about the future of Macau,'' Carruthers said, adding that the Galaxy Group will spend HK$7.5 billion ''between now and 2009'' to maintain its leading position in the world's fastest-growing gaming market.

Galaxy is certainly putting its money where its mouth is as far as sports entertainment is concerned. Another king, this one of the basketball court, will appear in Macau on September 5 courtesy of the group: Yao Ming.

The NBA star will appear with the Chinese national team against the Melbourne Tigers, in a one-off game being held in Macau.