Macau sees best gaming revenue month since pandemic

During May, gross gambling revenue in Macau amounted to MOP21.19 billion. This was 5% higher than May 2024 and a 12.4% increase on April this year.

Gross gambling revenue in Macau reached its highest monthly total since before the Covid-19 pandemic during May, with year-to-date revenue just short of MOP100 billion ($12.38 billion). This, analysts said, was boosted by an extra weekend during the month and popular national holidays that drew increased activity.

Macau’s previous post-pandemic monthly high came in October 2024, when revenue topped MOP20.79 billion. The May total surpassed this by 2%, according to data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

The May total means that year-to-date revenue in Macau stood at MOP97.71 billion. This is 1.7% more than at the same point in 2024.

Macau beats estimates in May

Analysts Seaport Research Partners said Macau surpassed expectations in May, while benefitting from an extra Saturday during the month. Weekend days are, on average, 20% higher in revenue terms than weekdays, analysts said.

Macau’s Dragon Boat Festival fell early this year (31 May to 2 June), whereas in 2024, it was in mid-June. This also helped to drive additional activity during the period.

Seaport had estimated a 5.3% year-on-year growth rate for the market in May.

Looking to June, Seaport estimated a 3.4% year-on-year rise in revenue, but a 13.7% fall from May. Analysts said Macau should benefit from several large concerts, as well as the early Dragon Boat holiday.

The analysts warned their June estimate was “conservative” as performance could be impacted by typhoons as the season approaches in June.

As for the full year, Seaport anticipates a 4% rise in gross gaming revenue across Macau. This, it said, should be driven by increased marketing efforts by operators and improving consumer trends in China.

“China stimulus and policy measures are likely to help shore up China’s economy and improve consumer confidence later this year,” Seaport said in a note published Sunday.