Good Morning. As Hong Kong’s Covid crisis escalates, with panic buying in the supermarkets and overflowing hospitals, prospects for a reopening of its borders with China and Macau have disappeared in the rear view mirror. Some casino executives are conceding 2022 may be another difficult year for top line revenue growth. Ben Lee, managing partner for IGamiX Management & Consulting, says that as the pandemic lumbers on there is little more operators can do to reduce their costs and boost the bottom line given the rigidity of the Macau labor market.
What you need to know
- Gross gambling revenue from all forms of gambling in the Philippines rose 14.4 percent in 2021, with 4Q21 showing the strongest performance of the year as operating restrictions eased.
- ASIC is being criticized for deciding not to pursue charges against ten former Crown Resorts executives for their role in the company’s misconduct.
On the radar
- RWM shareholder to provide $151.3 million capital injection.
- IPI again faces cash-flow crunch, delays wage payments.
- Accor opens Philippines’ first Swissotel brand property at Hann Casino.
- Paradise Co. reported a 5.7% YOY fall in casino sales in February 2022.
- MGM Resorts International to buy back $2 billion in shares.
What the papers say
- Meghalaya CM to lead committee of ministers studying GST on gambling industry.
- RWLV was 75% cash flow positive following the 2021 opening.
AGB Intelligence
DEEP DIVE
H.K. Covid crisis pointing towards another lost year for Macau GGR
The escalating Covid crisis in Hong Kong has heightened the chance of wider outbreaks in the region and has likely derailed recovery prospects for Macau, leaving operators facing a third year of severely constrained gross gambling revenue (GGR). The six concessionaires have pared back costs and all but one have managed to return to profit on an EBITDA basis, but will be unable to squeeze much more out of their operations due to Macau’s rigid labor structure, says Ben Lee, managing partner at IGamiX Management & Consulting. Hong Kong reported more than 55,353 cases of Covid on Wednesday, a record since the pandemic began and up from about 35,000 on Tuesday.
Industry Updates
- MOA Gaming to make its debut at SIGMA Dubai.
- Galaxy joins vaccines push with paid leave to accompany family members
- LVS launches Sands Cares Accelerator in Macau.
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