Macau's October Casino Revenues Drop 10% Despite Rising Visitor Numbers
Macau's gross gaming revenue fell 10% year-over-year in October 2026, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline despite higher visitor numbers.Summary
Macau's casino industry recorded a 10% year-over-year drop in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in October, reaching MOP 21.68 billion ($2.69 billion), down MOP 2.4 billion from October of last year. The decline marks the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year contraction and occurred despite rising visitor numbers and hotel occupancy exceeding 90% during the National Day Golden Week holiday. Revenue did rise 20% month-on-month from September's MOP 18.06 billion. After a strong start to 2026 with January GGR up 24%, the trend reversed in June with a 12.1% decline, easing to 8.4% in July and 1.2% in August and September before accelerating again in October. The Golden Week holiday and the NBA China Games at The Venetian Macao failed to deliver meaningful impact. Year-to-date GGR remains slightly ahead at 1.6%, but the government's 2026 budget target of MOP 236 billion would require roughly MOP 13.6 billion per month in November and December, and even then would lag behind 2025's MOP 247.4 billion. Analysts attribute the weak performance to a surge in low-spending tourists and non-gaming visitors, the transition away from the VIP junket model, and external factors such as rising fuel prices and uncertainty over US involvement in Iran affecting Chinese leisure spending.
(Source：Gamblingnews)