written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
08 Apr 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
Analysts at the American financial conglomerate Citigroup have examined the advantages of "smart" tables for casinos in Macau. They anticipate that the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to monitor chips could significantly accelerate the gaming process, leading to increased casino revenues regardless of visitor numbers.
George Choi and Ryan Chung noted, "Every five seconds saved in a game of baccarat can result in an organic growth of gross gaming revenue by 5.9%." According to the analysts, financial performance is expected to improve even though RFID tables may not attract more visitors to the casinos.
Citigroup estimates that 10% of tables in Macau's gaming establishments are already equipped with RFID technology. If its use becomes more widespread, the long-term growth outlook for Macau's gaming industry could improve.
The firm believes that this technology can help casinos assess the value of individual players. For instance, RFID can identify visitors who prefer specific bets. Despite offering higher potential winning odds for customers, such wagers are generally more profitable for the casinos. RFID tables also enable accurate tracking of foreign visitors and help optimize responsible gaming measures, which is welcomed by local authorities.
MGM China Holdings Ltd was the first operator to install RFID tables in Macau's casinos. Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of the parent company MGM Resorts International, has previously highlighted the benefits of the technology. He stated that RFID chips are an effective way to monitor the gaming sessions of foreign clients and ensure overall financial integrity.
Last month, the city's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reported that local officials held a meeting with representatives from six casino operators. Among the topics discussed were surveillance systems and "smart" gaming tables.
It is worth noting that the IMF projects Macau's GDP to grow by 13.9% in 2024, driven by the recovery of the gaming sector.
