Macau Gaming Revenue Jumps 82.5 Percent in January to MOP 11.5 Billion

MACAU, SAR (February 1, 2023) — Macau’s gross gaming revenue rebounded in January 2023 after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted.

Casino revenue skyrocketed by 82.5 pct year-on-year in January to MOP11.6 billion (US$1.4 billion), according to figures from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the Macau News Agency said.

The uplifting number was revealed days after the city ended the lucrative Lunar New Year holiday when over 498,000 visitor arrivals from mainland China were logged.

January’s performance was the first year-on-year increase since February last year, and the highest monthly revenue since January 2020 when Covid started to wreak economic havoc.

It accounted for 52.5 percent of the revenue for that month before a three-year slide.

Alidad Tash, managing director of gaming consultancy 2nt8, described the January figure as “a great start to the new year for the gaming operators and Macao”.

However, whether the momentum will last remains to be seen, the analyst pointed out.

“While the base mass patrons will increase in visitation in accordance with increased flights into Macao, concerns remain regarding the premium mass and premium direct segments,” Tash said.

“The next few months will tell whether or not premium players can make as many trips as in the past,” he added. “Furthermore, how easily can they bring large sums of money into Macao, now that the underground junket network has been dismantled.”

SOURCE: Macau News Agency.