Baccarat Leads the Way as Macau’s First-Half Gaming Revenues Improve

The over 40 casinos in Macau saw their aggregated first-half gross gaming revenues rise by almost 42% year-on-year to beyond $14.1 billion as mass-market baccarat retained its position as the venues’ most lucrative earner.

Colloquially known as ‘Las Vegas of the East’, Macau is home to some of the largest and most lavish casino resorts in the world, including the 3,000-room Venetian Macao enterprise from American operator Las Vegas Sands Corporation. 

The enclave of approximately 710,000 people furthermore hosts Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited’s 2,200-room City of Dreams development as well as the lotus-shaped Grand Lisboa property of local firm SJM Holdings.

Rolling Resurgence 

Information from the regulator showed Macau’s aggregated first-quarter gross gaming revenues swelled by 65 % year-on-year to reach over $7.1 billion in advance of improving by 24% in the second three months to top $7 billion.

Macau's gaming revenue soared by 26% year over year in April to surpass $2.3 billion, and it increased by an even more impressive 29.7% in May to surpass $2.5 billion.

Public Profit

The coronavirus pandemic had a significant negative impact on the city's numerous casinos because it caused a decline in international visitors, however, punters have been slowly returning. The most recent first-half figure equates to a recovery of 76% when compared with the same period in 2019.

All of this recently prompted Macau’s Financial Services Bureau to detail combined first-half gaming taxes of some $5.5 billion, which was a progression of 67.2% year-on-year. The government authority additionally pronounced that such levies accounted for approximately 85.5% of its total six-month take, while the annual figure from local casinos is expected to be nearer $10.4 billion.

Prominent Players

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau explained that casinos in Macau altogether offered 6,000 slots and 12,000 gaming tables during the first half of 2024, with this former entertainment having racked up revenues of around $799.4 million. 

The regulator also maintained that mass-market baccarat was the most popular gambling pastime, with some $8.6 billion in six-month income, while the VIP version of this same game came in second with a tally of about $3.4 billion. 

The official data showed other prevalent forms of casino entertainment in Macau included sic-bo and blackjack, which recorded first-half revenues of $511.9 million and $165.2 million, respectively. Roulette was also on this list with a tally of $63.4 million, while the object-based fan-tan game contributed $29.8 million.

(Image: : Bob Henry / Alamy)