According to the figures, released by the Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau, game operators in the former Portuguese colony won $ 1.3 billion from gamers in May. These numbers represent 167.2% year-on-year growth and the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
It is also an increase of the 24% compared to the $ 1.1 billion casinos won in April. April data was slightly below what they predicted Bloomberg
analysts, but the May figures surpassed the same predictions. For the first time in four months, the real numbers were greater than predicted.
According to the Hong Kong Standard report, the key to success in May was the increase in tourism in the region, and more specifically from mainland China. The government continued to ease restrictions on travel to Macau, and tourists flocked to the area during the Golden Week festival.
In May, the number of visitors to Macau continued to increase. According to the Macao Government's Tourism Bureau, there were approximately 167 tourists who came to the area during a five-day vacation with the 93%, of which they came from the mainland.
Gambling revenue fell rapidly after Golden Week ended. Non-Golden Week gaming revenue was in fact 10% lower than in April. One analyst wrote that the decline shows that the market is not in as much demand as it used to be without holiday tourism.
Visitor arrivals for the 93% from February and 25% from April have increased. The current figures, however, are still lower than 21% as of May 492, before the pandemic.
Unfortunately, the number of new ones COVID-000 cases in China are on the rise, adding some uncertainty to Macao's path to full recovery. In the event of significant growth, the government could re-impose some travel restrictions that would harm the tourism industry and ultimately Macao's gross gaming revenue.