<p>In Macau, the gross gaming revenue amassed MOP18.81 billion ($2.35 billion) last month, marking a 1.7% increment from the same time last year, according to the <a href=”https://www.dicj.gov.mo/web/en/frontpage/index.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau</a>. This slight increase outperformed analysts’ predictions of a 1.25% year-on-year decline.</p>
<p>This uplift suggests a promising start to the Golden Week, the five-day Chinese holiday that commenced on May 1.</p>
<p>Historical data referenced by <a href=”https://www.macaubusiness.com/gaming-revenue-hits-mop18-86-billion-in-april-up-1-7-pct-y-o-y/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Macau Business</a> reveals that casinos in Macau report the highest revenue in May, August, and October. During these months, a surge of mainland tourists flocks to the special administrative region, the sole location in China where casino gambling is permitted.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-china-stimulus-driving-upturn-in-macau-ggr”>Macau GGR Uplift Tied to Chinese Economic Stimulus</h2>
<p>The rise in GGR is attributed to a <a href=”https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/seaport-china-stimulus-strengthen-macau-economy/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>strengthening Chinese economy</a>.</p>
<p>Vitaly Umansky, an analyst from <a href=”https://sgsecurities.bluematrix.com/links2/secure/pdf/f6e7d4bf-5916-49d0-b449-4f0e46776e92″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Seaport Research Partners</a>, stated that the ascendancy of consumer confidence, particularly among the upper-middle class, is the “key to driving upward growth in Macauâ€.</p>
<p>“Despite the US tariffs escalation and certain weak sectors of the China economy such as consumer spend and real estate,†Umansky added, the central government’s stimulus measures should “boost economic activity and consumer confidence in 2025â€.</p>
<p>He also noted that the <a href=”https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/us-china-trade-tensions-writing-new-chapter-for-macau-casinos/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>US-China trade dispute</a> might encourage Beijing to “implement stimulative measures more aggressively to stimulate consumption,†which should positively impact Macau’s revenues.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-golden-week-an-important-barometer”>Golden Week as a Crucial Indicator</h2>
<p>So far this year, Macau casinos have generated MOP76.51 billion, a 0.8% increase from the same period in 2024. However, the monthly average of MOP19.12 billion is still below the MOP20 billion required to reach the annual target of MOP240 billion.</p>
<p>The <a href=”https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Macau Government Tourism Office</a> anticipates between 127,000 and 140,000 daily visitors during the Golden Week holiday, which <a href=”https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/macau-gaming-revenue-better-than-feared-ahead-of-golden-week” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Bloomberg</a> describes as “the next significant data pointâ€. To attract more overnight stays, both casinos and the local government are enhancing after-hours entertainment.</p>
