The region's casinos were forced to shut down for a 33-hour period on the weekend of 15 September due to the impact of Typhoon Mangkut.

However, analysts had taken the closure into account and adjusted their projections to a 10% year-on-year growth for the month.

The end result was reduced growth, with the 3% growth in stark contrast to a year-high GGR in August, which rose 17% year-on-year to MOP26.56bn. September’s GGR was 17% less than that of August overall.

Nevertheless, September marked the 26th consecutive monthly gain for Macau’s casino industry and brings GGR to MOP224.05bn for the first nine months of 2018; a 16% year-on-year increase. 

Last year, Macau’s casinos generated MOP26.63bn in October; the highest monthly total of the year.