Even five months after casinos reopened, Macau gaming revenue continues to decline. Casinos in the gaming capital won $168 million from gaming enthusiasts last month, according to the data released by the Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau. The figures amount to a 94.5% drop year-over-year. It’s the fourth straight month that Macau’s gaming revenue fell by more than 90%.
Macua gaming market was in doldrums right from the start of 2020. However, the situation worsened after COVID-19. July was the 10th straight month that Macau’s gaming revenue declined.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, stringent measures taken by the Chinese government to deal with the COVID-19 have hampered the gaming market’s recovery.
After the COVID-19, casinos in Macau were closed for two weeks in February. The government banned tourist visas and officials from the neighboring Guangdong province were forcing residents to undergo a 14-day quarantine when returning from the former Portuguese colony.
The market is expected to experience a turnaround in coming months as the government is planning to further ease travel restrictions. The Guangdong province lifted the mandatory quarantine in July and tourism visas to Macau are expected to resume in August or September.