Key points:
- Daily gaming revenue reached MOP 1bn ($124m) during the first five days of May
- Visitor numbers surged 40% to 850,000
- Investment banks raise monthly revenue forecasts to MOP 21bn
As reported by Macao Daily, the Labour Day Golden Week holiday delivered a strong rebound for Macau’s casino industry, with daily gaming revenues during the first five days of May reaching MOP 1.02bn, marking a 12% year-on-year increase.
The surge was driven by a sharp rise in visitor numbers, which grew by 40% year-on-year to approximately 850,000. The overlap of Labour Day and the Buddha’s Birthday public holidays was cited as a contributing factor to the improved figures.
Francis Lui, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, described the performance as a “pleasant surprise” and expressed hope that the positive momentum would continue in the months ahead.
Citigroup issued a research note projecting total gross gaming revenue (GGR) for May at MOP 21bn, revising its earlier estimate of MOP 20bn. This would represent a 4% year-on-year increase and recover approximately 81% of the levels seen in May 2019. The bank projected that daily gaming revenue for the remainder of the month would average around MOP 612m.
Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan analysts said Macau’s GGR during the first five days of the month had exceeded expectations by 15–20%, reaching over 90% of pre-pandemic levels despite the continued absence of VIP clientele. The investment bank called the performance “encouraging” and among the strongest positive surprises in recent years.
The figures suggest a more resilient mass market segment and underline Macau’s ongoing recovery as the city capitalises on holiday tourism and broader regional demand.
