The Macau SAR Government collected gaming tax revenue of MOP$19.1 billion (US$2.37 billion) in 2022, representing a 43.7% decline on the MOP$33.9 billion (US$4.20 billion) collected the previous year, according to figures published by the Financial Services Bureau.
The annual total included tax revenue of MOP$1.23 billion (US$153 million) in December, down 53.2% on December 2022 and also 21.2% lower than November in a subdued finish to the year.
The December figure correlates to Macau’s November GGR figure of MOP$3.0 (US$374 million), which was down 55.6% year-on-year.
Macau’s full 2022 figure also represented just 55.9% of the original budgeted amount, with the government having estimated gaming tax of MOP$34.4 billion (US$4.27 billion) for the year.
The year-on-year decline comes after Macau continued to battle the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks across mainland China during the latter months of 2022, which further impacted visitation and gaming revenues which were already subdued as a result of the pandemic. Tax take is expected to improve significant from February, however, following the reopening of Macau’s borders on 8 January 2023.
Macau’s gaming taxes under the previous gaming law, which has since been replaced by a revised law, included a 35% “special gaming tax” paid directly to the Macau government plus another 4% other charges, comprising a 1.6% levy which funds the Macao Foundation’s cultural, social, economic, educational, scientific, academic and philanthropic activities, and a 2.4% contribution (1.4% for SJM) to the urban construction, tourism and social security fund.
From 1 January 2023, the 4% in other charges has increased to 5%, with the levy and contribution increasing to 2% and 3% respectively for all six concessionaires.
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