Macau, renowned for its vibrant casino industry, has recently experienced a dip in its gaming sector's performance. According to Citigroup, drawing on insights from industry sources, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) of Macau’s casinos was approximately MOP9.00 billion (US$1.12 billion) during the initial 14 days of June. This marks a noticeable shift, prompting discussions about the factors behind this decline.
World Cup Effects on Macau's Gaming Scene
The downturn in Macau's casino revenue appears to be closely associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup beginning on June 11. As noted in a memorandum by Citigroup, the daily revenue run rate averaged MOP586 million in the week ending June 14. This figure was significantly down by roughly 20 percent compared to the previous month’s daily average of MOP729 million. Furthermore, in the first week of June, daily revenue averaged around MOP700 million, indicating a 16 percent reduction.
The commencement of the World Cup is believed to have diverted some betting budgets away from Macau’s casinos. With this year's tournament featuring an expanded lineup of 48 teams competing in 104 matches, Citigroup anticipates that the event's impact on casino gaming revenue could surpass the effects witnessed in prior editions.
Additionally, the bank observed a slight decrease in VIP hold during the second week of June, compared to the previous week.
Mitigating Strategies and Future Projections
Despite the current slowdown, Citigroup maintains its forecast for Macau’s June GGR at MOP19.00 billion. Achieving this target would equate to a 10-percent decrease year-on-year, requiring an average daily revenue of about MOP625 million for the remainder of the month. Citigroup points to upcoming entertainment events as potential factors to bolster visitor arrivals and gaming activity towards the end of June.
Notably, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd has arranged concerts featuring Hong Kong singer Keung To. Concurrently, Sands China Ltd is hosting performances by Taiwan artist Wakin Chau at the Londoner Arena. "We believe these could help mitigate the potential GGR decline," the memo from Citigroup stated, highlighting the potential for entertainment to attract visitors amidst the ongoing World Cup.
Source: Macau June GGR pace slows amid World Cup, Citi keeps forecast at US$2.4bln, GGRAsia, June 15, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
Jun 16 2026
Jun 16 2026
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