Macau casino operators posted a 13.7 percent decline of the gross gaming revenue (GGR) in December 2019, marking the worst monthly decline since March 2016.
Casino operators posted a combined GGR of $2.84 billion in December 2019, which is a decline from the previous year GGR of 3.29 billion. According to the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), September was the only month worse than December and posted a GGR of $2.75 billion.
The Chinese gambling enclave GGR was active in 2017 and 2018. According to DICJ data, the 2019 annual gaming revenue declined by 3.4 percent in 2019. The December revenue decline in Macau is attributed to the recent participation of the Chinese President Xi Jinping in the enclave 20th-anniversary celebration since Macau was handed to China by Portugal. The security checks prompted strict visa controls, which restricted the number of gamblers visiting the region.
Lots Of Discomforts
Casino operators in the world’s largest gaming hub also faced an array of challenges in 2019. The Chinese economy was affected by the trade war with the US, and the geopolitical protests in Hong Kong.
According to Casino.org, gaming analyst expects most of the issues that affected Macau in 2019 will be solved this year except Hong Kong demonstrations. The trade talk between the US and China is ongoing, and the Phase I is about to be signed. Economic believes that Macau GDP will maintain a six percent growth this year.
