Macau VIP GGR grows 34 pct

The local gaming regulator revealed that during the second quarter of the year VIP GGR grew 34.8 percent year-on-year.

Macau.- The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau revealed on Monday that casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Macau’s VIP baccarat segment increased 34.8 percent year-on-year during the second quarter of 2017, whilst mass market GGR with slots rose 8.1 percent.

During the three month period from April to June, VIP baccarat GGR was approximately US$4.4 billion, up from the US$3.2 billion registered during the same three months in 2016. Moreover, the aggregate for all casino GGR during the second quarter was 21.9 percent higher than last year. Government information revealed earlier this month that gambling revenue in Macau increased 25.9 percent to US$2.49 billion in June, which represents the eleventh consecutive month of winning streak. High roller VIPs contributed to the impressive results.

The Bureau’s report detailed that slot machine revenue totaled US$376 million, a 17.2 percent higher than last year’s second wuarter, whilst the number of slot machines increased 1.2 percent as Macau features 186 more machines this year. Live multi game GGR also went through a 9.3 percent hike year-on-year to US$75 million, approximately US$7 million more than last year.

As the Japanese brokerage Nomura revealed earlier this month, the third quarter could see a 15 growth and the fourth could experience an 8 percent rise in GGR. “We lift our 2017 gaming revenue growth forecast for the second time, from 12 percent to 15 percent, after lifting it from 8 percent to 12 percent on 30 March. That was led by the solid second quarter, with GGR growth accelerating to 22 percent (from 14 percent in the first quarter),” said Nomura.