Macau topped out October with a post-pandemic record of $2.42 billion in GGR, driven by a Golden Week influx. But while the sector continues to flourish, questions abound as to potential limitations the government could place on operators, due to their obligations under their gaming concession contracts. The authorities' new five-year economic development plan highlights further potential constraints on the sector, and possible future intervention in the push for the city's economic diversification.

Macau’s gross gaming revenue in October reached its highest level since the beginning of the pandemic, topping out at MOP19.5 billion ($2.42 billion), a 400.2 percent yearly increase and over MOP2 billion ($248 million) higher than the previous 2023 high of MOP17.21 billion ($2.13 billion) seen in August.

Making money moves. That's what Macau is doing, with October GGR set to encroach on 2019 levels as the city roars back. Reclaiming its gaming throne, analysts are predicting over $2 billion in gaming revenue for the month, largely boosted by Golden Week.

The investment bank JP Morgan expects Macau’s October gross gaming revenue to hit a new post-COVID high, surpassing the post-pandemic record of MOP17.2 billion ($2.1 billion) achieved in August this year.

Citigroup has announced that it will keep Macau's October 2023 gross gaming revenue (GGR) forecast unchanged at MOP19.5 billion ($2.43 billion), despite noting a significant slowdown in the daily run-rate during the past week.

Macau October GGR registered a positive monthly uptick of 31%, to $482.6 million, with some analysts predicting a solid Q4 result, despite the recent small outbreak in the territory.

Macau's gross gambling revenue has continued to improve in November, gaining 25 percent week-on-week as visitation recovered from a 48 percent drop in October arrivals.

Wynn Macau filed a business update revealing that, for the two months of October and November, subsequent to the reopening of the IVS exit visa program to all residents of mainland China, the daily average gross gaming revenues of its operations were approximately 31 percent of its gross gaming revenues in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Macau's October gross gambling revenue fell 72.5 percent to MOP7.2 billion ($899 million), according to figures from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). The latest figures bring the year to date decline to 84 percent.

Macau's gross gambling revenue for October is expected to be down 73 percent with channel checks showing GGR up until October 26 at MOP5.95 billion (US$747 million), according to Bernstein research.