The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) reported today that the gross gaming revenue of Macao casinos rose 228.8 per cent from MOP 2.21 billion in September to MOP 7.27 billion ( US$ 910.9 million) last month. Last month’s gross gaming revenue was the highest since January, when Macao’s more than three dozen casinos raked in MOP 22.12 billion, according to DICJ numbers.
Macao’s first COVID-19 case was confirmed on 22 January. Year-on-year, last month’s gross gaming revenue declined by 72.5 per cent – the lowest year-on-year drop since January. In the first 10 months of the year, the casino sector’s gross gaming revenue fell by 81.4 per cent to MOP 45.87 billion.
Analysts attributed the strong increase last month to the decision of the central government to reactivate its individual visit scheme (IVS) as of 23 September, enabling mainland tourists to fly to Macao again. In reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme was suspended at the start of this year.
According to the DICJ website, Macao had 41 casinos owned by six gaming operators (SJM, Galaxy, Venetian, Wynn, MGM and Melco Crown) at the end of September. Four SJM casinos’ operations were suspended at that time.
According to Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) data, the gaming industry had 57,459 full-time employees at the end of June, or 14.1 per cent of Macao’s total workforce of 406,500 at that time. Gaming sector employees’ earnings averaged MOP 23,200 (US$2,900) in June, the bureau said.
[image: Macau Photo Agency]
