Macau gambling revenue slips to six-month low in September

Gambling revenue in Macau hit MOP14.94bn (£1.53bn/€1.77bn/$1.85bn) in September, a six-month low for the region, but a significant improvement on last year.

Total market revenue was 13.2% down from the year-high of MOP17.21bn that was posted in August. It was also the lowest monthly figure since Macau generated MOP14.72m back in April.

However, the September figure was some 404.2% ahead of MOP2.96bn in the same month last year. This was due to 2022 figures being impacted by a temporary closure of casinos in line with Covid-19 measures in Macau.

Such restrictions were relaxed following nationwide protests against the length and severity of the government’s “zero-Covid” policy. Visitors from outside China no longer have to quarantine and the number of flights into China are now uncapped.

H1 revenue reaches MOP80.14bn in Macau

For the first half of the year, total gambling revenue in Macau reached MOP80.14bn. This was 205.1% lower than the six months to the end of June last year.

Incidentally, the H1 period marked the opening phase for new concessions for gaming operators in the region.

A total of seven applicants applied for the concessions. These included incumbents Galaxy Entertainment Group, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Melco Resorts, SJM Resorts and Wynn Resorts, plus Genting Malaysia.

The six operators already active in Macau were chosen, meaning Genting missed out on a concessions.

New concessions began on 1 January and will run through to 31 December 2032.

Original Article