Macau September revenue 50% below 2021 figure

This total compares with the MOP5.88bn brought in by operators in the special administrative region in September 2021.

The September 2022 figure was more than the MOP2.21bn recorded in September 2020, but it was still significantly below the MOP22.1bn taken in September 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Takings have increase 35.3% month-to-month from MOP2.19bn in August. This reflects the relaxing of pandemic restrictions within the former Portuguese colony, since a Covid-19 outbreak in July led to severe restrictions. Macau casinos were closed from 7-23 July in a citywide lockdown. Even following the opening, many restrictions remained in place on the citizens and businesses of the city.

This can be seen clearly in the data, with Macau operators recording MOP398m in revenue in July – a record low.

Return to normal

Since that month, Macau has been on a path towards recovery.

In August, shops and restaurants re-opened as Covid cases receded.

On the cards for the coming months will be a return of e-visas and tours groups, as the central Chinese government ponders the economic fate of the city. The new visa policy has an in-built “circuit-breaker” mechanism which will automatically suspend the process in the case of a new out-break of Covid-19.

Another event influencing the future of the Macau gaming trade is the ongoing concessionaire public tender process. The goal of the process is to have the new or renewed licences in place from 1 January 2023. While the six current licence holders have all re-applied – The Genting Group has also thrown its hat into the ring.