The growth highlights the up-and-down nature of Macau’s year, as it follows a month in which GGR fell 9%, the region’s biggest percentage drop in 27 months.

In accumulated GGR, Macau is still 2% down, although the exact deficit decreased in September.

Despite accumulated GGR being down every month so far this year, there is a distinct possibility Macau's casino sector finishes the year with positive 12-month growth.

That would require strong Q4 results, which is exactly what was achieved in 2018, particularly with a 17% rise for December.

For 2019 however, September was only the fourth month in the black for the region’s casinos, with July and August both resulting in declines.

Macau’s biggest single-month growth came in June (6%), while its highest individual total came in May (MOP25.95bn).