Macau recorded gross gaming revenue of MOP$5.88 billion (US$733 million) in September, up 32.4% compared with August but still significantly impacted by recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Macau and mainland China.
According to information published by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the September GGR figure was 165.9% higher than in September 2020 although it was also the second lowest monthly figure of the year so far and barely half of 2021’s high of MOP$10.45 billion (US$1.30 billion) recorded in May.
September’s GGR could have been higher but for eight new cases of COVID-19 in Macau towards the end of the month, all linked to hotel quarantine. Those cases saw the border between Macau and Zhuhai subject to strict control measures and all Macau residents required to take a COVID-19 test over a three-day period from 3pm 25 September to 3pm 28 September.
A measure requiring anyone entering Zhuhai from Macau to enter 14 days of hotel quarantine was still in place as of 1 October, killing off any hopes of a positive start to Golden Week (1 to 7 October).