Macau reports 62% fall in gaming revenue for June 2022

Gross gaming revenue (GGR) for June 2021 stood at MOP$6.53bn (US$800.6m), this has fallen to MOP$2.47bn for June 2022.

The fall comes as part of a larger trend in loss of gaming revenue for the region, with 68% GGR losses for both April and May 2022. This has been attributed partly to a decrease in cross-border and cross-provincial travel from mainland China.

The most recent June figures come as Macau is in the grip of a resurgence of Covid-19. The government and Health Bureau have imposed restrictions in an attempt to curb the further spread of disease, closing local businesses such as restaurants, cinemas, hair salons and nightclubs and carrying out citywide testing.

Casinos have been permitted to stay open, but have been subject to stringent Covid-prevention measures. All guests must produce evidence of a negative nucleic acid test and be subject to a body-temperature check on arrival. Staff must produce negative test results before a shift, with officials recommending that they also wear protective KN95 masks when in the presence of customers.

Additionally, on 26 June the DICJ recommended that the city’s casinos reduce the number of operating staff to help reduce disease transmission, saying that all “gaming companies must strictly implement all epidemic prevention guidelines issued by the Health Bureau.”

These restrictions can explain the loss in GGR for June 2022, and the pressure on casinos looks set to continue. On 1 July the city recorded 88 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total to 572. Furthermore, the DICJ has ordered Macau casinos to reduce on-duty staff by 90%.