Macau casino revenue down 79.3% in 2020

| By Robert Fletcher
Gross gambling revenue in Macau fell 79.3% year-on-year in 2020 as the Chinese Special Administrative Region was badly affected by enforced closures and travel restrictions resulting from the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Macau concessions

GGR amounted to MOP60.44bn (£5.55bn/€6.15bn/$7.57bn) in the past 12 months, down from MOP292.46bn in the previous year.

Like almost all gaming markets around the world, Macau was harmed by the temporary closure of its casinos in the early part of last year due to Covid-19. Macau also imposed travel restrictions, limiting the number of people who could enter the region.

However, with certain measures having been eased towards the end of the year, the situation in Macau improved in the final months on 2020.

GGR in December reached MOP7.82bn, which was 65.8% lower than the MOP22.84bn generated in the same month in 2019, but the second highest monthly total of 2020.

Covid-19 restrictions and closures also impacted a number of major operators active in Macau, including MGM Resorts International published, which saw its revenue from properties in Macau fall 93.6% at $46.9m in the third quarter.

Asian casino operator Galaxy Entertainment saw its GGR decline 93.9% in Q3, while revenue at Melco dropped 85.2%, as the operator reported a $386.9m loss.

Macau’s Wynn Palace reported a 97.4% drop in revenue for Q3, while the Wynn Macau property also saw revenue decline 89.2%.

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