written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
19 Aug 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
In its latest monthly report, banking group Citigroup has announced an increase in premium gaming stakes at Macau casinos for August. The total amount reached HK$12.8 million (approximately RUB 147.5 million), marking a 4% rise from July and a 35% increase compared to August 2022.
Analysts attribute this improvement to high foot traffic in the casinos, particularly from players hailing from mainland China. In a recent survey, Citigroup found that Macau's gaming establishments welcomed 655 premium segment guests in August, a 40% increase year-on-year.
Despite the surge in visitors, the average bet per VIP player decreased by 7% compared to July 2023, dropping from HK$21,193 to HK$19,606 (from RUB 244,273 to RUB 225,981). However, Citigroup analysts George Choi and Ryan Chung noted that this decline is typical for the season. "We believe this trend is due to the fact that the highly trafficked month of August also attracts more casual and less dedicated players to the casinos," they added.
According to Citigroup's latest data, there are currently 25 "whales"—players who wager HK$100,000 (RUB 1.15 million) or more—in Macau's gaming venues. Among them, eight were clients of Galaxy Entertainment, allowing the operator to increase its share of the premium betting market in Macau from 25% in July to 29% in August.
The highest bet recorded in August was HK$600,000 (RUB 6.9 million), placed by a visitor at the City of Dreams gaming and hotel complex, owned by Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd.
The report also highlighted the introduction of additional "smart" tables in Macau's largest casinos. For instance, Melco Resorts added 30 new smart tables at Studio City, while Sands China increased the number of such tables at Venetian Macao from 73 to over 250.
Notably, 90% of management positions in Macau's casinos are held by local residents.
