Macau saw a noticeable increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in July 2024, signaling a solid recovery and promising prospects for the rest of the year. According to the Gaming Inspection Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the GGR in July was MOP18.6 billion ($2.31 billion), up 11.6% year-over-year and up 5.1% compared to June 2024.

Key highlights of the Macau July GGR:

Year-over-Year Growth: In July, GGR increased 11.6% year-over-year, showing a strong recovery in the region’s gaming sector.
The month-over-month improvement: July sales also rose 5.1% month-over-month, highlighting positive trends in the market.
Recovery to pre-pandemic levels: July revenue indicated a recovery of 75.9% of the GGR level ($24.5 billion) in July 2019.
Industry insights and future prospects

Analysts at Seaport Research, cited by Inside Asian Gaming, highlighted a number of factors, including operating costs, player reinvestment, and the impact of regulatory measures on money flow that could affect Macau’s performance in the second half of 2024. The seasonality led the industry to see a slight increase in GGR in the third quarter, followed by a larger 5.5% gain in the fourth quarter.

Despite some challenges, overall sentiment remains positive. Steady tourist inflows and relocation deregulation support the market’s recovery. Industry experts expect continued growth in the upcoming quarter, boosted by events such as October’s Golden Week, which typically attracts more visitors.

This recovery is critical not only for casino operators, but also for Macau’s economy, which relies heavily on gaming and tourism. The increase in the GGR represents a rebound in these sectors, providing a boost to the local economy and potentially affecting local economic trends.

CLSA recently revised its 2024 and 2025 financial projections for the Macau gaming sector, forecasting a 34% year-over-year increase in Macau’s GGR to reach $30.3 billion in 2024. Further growth of 5% is expected in 2025.

In addition, the market’s biggest operators are rumoured to be considering expanding their operations in the region by targeting Thailand. According to a recent report, the operators operating in the Macau market, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, and Wynn Resorts Inc., expect to break through the Thai market, where annual game gross (GGR) is expected to reach up to $30.8 billion. 동행복권파워볼