Macao’s gross gaming revenue hits 18.52 billion patacas in June, down 12.1 percent year-on-year

Macao’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) in June hit 18.52 billion patacas (US$2.29 billion), down 12.1 percent against the 21.06 billion patacas (US$2.6 billion) recorded during the same period last year. 

Compared to the 22.61 billion patacas (US$2.8 billion) earned in May, the June figure also represents a decline of 18 percent, according to recent data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. 

The fall in Macao’s gross gaming revenue last month comes even though Macao welcomed a major influx of tourists during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday between 19 and 21 June. According to Public Security Police data, approximately 380,000 visitors entered the SAR over the three-day break, with the figure totalling roughly 133,000 and 155,000 arrivals on the first and second day of the period. 

Despite these numbers, a temporary economic slowdown in June had been predicted by the Macau Economic Association. In mid-June, the organisation said it expected the local tourism sector to be sluggish, as China’s university entrance examination kicked off on 7 June, dampening the desire for trips among the family market. 

It added that the opening of the FIFA World Cup on 11 June would divert the spending and gambling budgets of visitors. Citigroup analysts made a similar observation, pointing out that the weaker performance in the first week of June was probably the result of the football tournament, which was “taking away some Macao players’ betting budgets.“ 

[See more: Pansy Ho exits MGM with US$140 million sale of remaining stake]

Looking ahead, Macao’s gross gaming revenue is likely to grow during the summer period in July and August, as these two months are traditionally the busiest in the whole year. 

Speaking to local media on 20 June, the head of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said the city’s visitor arrival numbers would peak in August. In preparation, the MGTO, along with other government departments and community groups, were working together to organise events to attract visitors. 

Predictions for Macao’s gross gaming revenue

Overall, Macao’s GGR during the first half of this year totaled 126.9 billion patacas (US$15.72 billion), up 6.8 percent year-on-year. 

This year, the Macao government is forecasting the cumulative 2026 GGR to reach 236 billion patacas (US$29.4 billion), up 3.5 percent in comparison to the official revised 2025 GGR prediction of 228 billion patacas (US$28.28 billion). Some analysts, however, are anticipating the growth to be higher, hovering between 3 to 7 percent. 

Despite the projected growth, Macao’s gross gaming revenue for the whole of this year still falls short of the 292.45 billion patacas (US$36.28 billion) registered in pre-pandemic 2019.