Macau GGR run rate rises 12% in early August, Citi says
Citi says pent-up demand and a strong concert calendar are boosting gaming revenue.
Macau.- Citigroup has reported that Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) showed a strong sequential recovery in the first nine days of August. It says the daily run rate was up 12 per cent month-on-month.
According to Citi, Macau’s GGR reached approximately MOP6.6bn (US$816.8m) between August 1 and 9, equivalent to a daily run rate of MOP733m (US$90.7m), compared to MOP654m (US$81m) a month prior. The figure is also 3 per cent above the MOP715m (US$88.5m) recorded during the same period 2025.
The bank attributed the stronger performance to pent-up demand and major concerts held in Macau during the first part of the month following the World Cup lull. Citi analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau said industry sources indicated that VIP volume increased by 12 to 15 per cent month-on-month, while mass-market GGR rose between 10 and 12 per cent. The VIP hold rate was also described as slightly above normal.
Citi has maintained its August GGR forecast at MOP23.5bn (US$2.91bn), representing a 6 per cent year-on-year increase. It expects Macau’s entertainment calendar to provide support throughout the month.
The improvement comes after a weaker July, when gaming activity was affected by the FIFA World Cup. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of MOP20.26bn (US$2.51bn), down 8.4 per cent year-on-year. Cumulatively, Macau’s GGR for the first seven months of 2026 was MOP147.16bn (US$18.22bn), up 4.4 per cent year-on-year.
