Macau gaming revenue holds steady as SunCity impact looms
Macau's gambling revenue for November was almost identical to the same period of last year, as the special administrative region prepares to deal with the fallout from the arrest of Alvin Chau, chairman of leading junket operator SunCity.
Gaming revenue for the month came to MOP6.75bn (£631.4m/€643.2m), representing a slight 0.01% increase on November 2020.
The revenue figure was also a 54.6% increase on the previous month when novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions severely hampered trading.
Cumulative revenue for the year currently stands at MOP78.9bn, up 49.9% from the corresponding period last year.
The announcement comes as the Macau casino industry deals with an ongoing scandal after authorities arrested the chair of its most prominent junket operator, SunCity.
Earlier today, SunCity notified the Bureau of Gaming Supervision (DICJ) that it would be closing its VIP lounges spread across each of Macau's six gaming concessionaires, following the arrest.
Trading of SunCity's shares on the Hong Kong stock exchange has subsequently been halted during the ongoing investigation, while Chau has signaled his intention to resign from his position in the company.
The Macau government has also updated its measures for tourists entering the country. Those who have visited mainland China or Hong Kong in the last 14 days, or Taiwan in the last 21 days, must provide certification of a negative Covid-19 test taken within seven days of arrival.
Anybody travelling to Macau via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Golden Bus or flight service that has a designated place to stay, must present a booking confirmation issued by the Medical Observation Hotel in order to board their respective buses or flights.
People are prevented from entering Macau if they have visited a foreign country in the last 21 days, as was the case previously.