As reported by the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), it is the region’s lowest total in 2022 so far, and the worst year-on-year decline it has suffered this year.

Covid outbreaks across mainland China, including Guangzhou and Shanghai, have negatively impacted revenue, with the decline coming despite the relaxing of Macau’s Covid rules throughout the month, as reported by Inside Asian Gaming.

Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center relaxed the validation period of mandatory Covid test results from 24 to 48 hours on 20 April, before relaxing it further to 72 hours on 24 April. Travel restrictions to the region have, however, recently been tightened.

The figure means GGR stands at MOP24.5bn for the first four months of 2022, a 36% decline from the first four months of 2021.

This year-on-year decline was 25% in March, 8% in February, and 21% in January.

February 2022 remains the most promising month of 2022 so far, with GGR reaching MOP7.75bn. The month is also the only to report a positive year-on-year increase, with February 2022 GGR up 6% from February 2021.

March had previously been the lowest total of 2022, with GGR amounting to MOP3.67bn. January’s total meanwhile was MOP6.34bn. Those months had year-on-year declines of 21% and 56% respectively.