Casino revenue totalled HK$7.76bn ($992m), a 22% increase on January, in which takings reached a meager HK$6.34bn.
Despite this significant improvement on the previous month, accumulated revenue still sits at a variance of -8% from the same period in 2021. This is a vast improvement on January's year-on-year variance, though, which slumped to -20.9% from the same period in January 2021.
Although these short-term gains are encouraging, Macau is still a far cry from its pre-Covid-19 international dominance. Last month, we spoke about Macau's struggles up against a resurgent Las Vegas and these struggles remain in place, for the most part.
But February does present budding green shoots of hope for a full Macanese recovery, particularly as the region remains locked under stringent Covid measures. Yesterday, Ho lat Seng refuted calls to end social distancing measures in Macau's current climate, dashing hopes of a significant economic recovery next month.
Current uncertainty surrounding junkets may also be playing a detrimental part in Macau's profiteering enterprises, with arrests and legal cases continuing to whirl and fizz over the Soda Port.
Yet Macau could reasonably be expected to sustain its slow incremental gains, provided no further measures are introduced. International travel remains largely restricted, although travel from Hong Kong has been authorised as of 21 February.
Macau will surely be hoping a flurry of entrants from the Fragrant Harbour will aid the gaming hub on its climb back from economic struggles. March will provide some initial answers, be sure to follow Gambling Insider's coverage to find out more.
