Macau casino revenue could reach MOP130bn in 2022, analyst says

According to gaming experts, Macau’s casino revenue could be between MOP100bn and MOP130bn (US$16.18bn).

Macau.- After authorities in Macau revealed Macau’s full-year gross gambling revenue was up 43.7% year on year at MOP86.86bn (US$10.82bn) in 2021, ronowned analysts David Fong has published his forecast for the current year.

Fong, who is director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, has predicted the city could reach between MOP100bn and MOP130bn (US$16.18bn) in casino revenues over the coming 12 months.

According to Fong, this could happen if the number of tourist arrivals continues to increase and if the city experiences an economic rebound after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also told Macao Daily News that as most of the casino operators decided to temporarily suspend their partnerships with junket operators, the industry will be driven by the mass market segment.

The closure of junket-operated VIP rooms started after the arrest of Alvin Chau Cheok Wa on cross-border gambling and money laundering accusations.

Suncity Group Holdings decided to close all of its VIP rooms in Macau while Tak Chun, the second-largest junket operator in Macau, also confirmed that some casino operators had decided to temporarily suspend their partnerships.

It is also expected that the reopening of borders between Hong Kong and Macau in 2022 will promote the city’s tourism and gaming industry.

Hong Kong has historically accounted for 15 per cent to 20 per cent of Macau’s total gaming revenue.

However, Fong emphasised that due to the latest developments related to the Hong Kong Covid-19 Omicron variant, this will still take some time. 

The quarantine-free travel arrangement has been postponed to the area for at least 21 consecutive days with zero cases.