Macau Casinos Experience Record Surge In July As Summer Tourism And Concerts Drive Growth

Published on July 8, 2025

Macau is experiencing a rare casino revenue boom as a key time of the summer tourist season peaks in the city. City gaming has experienced a distinct improvement in its appearance, as can be witnessed by the first half of July showing stellar numbers ahead of last year’s pace. This positive trend can be mainly attributed to a resurgence by both tourism and major entertainment fairs, and this represents a healthy recovery for a casino hub previously suffering.

A Stellar Start to July for Macau’s Casinos

The opening week of July brought excellent news for Macau’s gaming industry, with casinos recording MOP4.3 billion (approximately $537 million) in gross gaming revenue (GGR). According to Citigroup analysts, this amounted to an average of MOP717 million ($89.6 million) per day, surpassing both the figures from the same period last year and the daily average for June of MOP702 million ($87.8 million). This marked an extraordinary start to the month, and the results are reflective of the growing appeal of Macau’s resorts and gaming floors.

The impressive performance in July follows the strong performance from June 2025, when Macau’s monthly GGR showed a 19% increase year-over-year, reaching MOP21.06 billion ($2.6 billion). This was a clear indication that Macau’s gaming sector had regained momentum after a tough start to the year. The first half of 2025 has shown a 4.4% rise in GGR, continuing the positive trend and offering hope for sustained growth throughout the year.

The Entertainment Boom: Concerts Bring Foot Traffic and Boost Revenues

A key factor driving this surge in Macau’s casino revenues is the revitalization of large-scale entertainment events, which had been sidelined during the pandemic years. Specifically, concerts featuring popular Cantopop artist Jacky Cheung at Galaxy Arena have been credited with attracting thousands of tourists to the city. Over the weekend, the last three shows of Cheung’s residency were particularly influential in boosting foot traffic on casino floors.

The influence of these entertainment events on gaming revenues cannot be overstated, particularly in terms of their impact on the mass market segment. While VIP gaming numbers have remained largely steady, mass market GGR saw an increase of 2 to 4 percent compared to June. Notably, VIP hold rates also exceeded average levels, further contributing to the overall revenue surge.

With such high-profile performances continuing throughout the month, including future concerts by Aaron Kwok at Studio City and Sandy Lam at Venetian Arena, analysts expect the current growth trajectory to remain strong. However, it is anticipated that the momentum may slow down after the conclusion of these large-scale events. Nevertheless, the long-term outlook for Macau remains positive, with entertainment playing an integral role in the city’s gaming recovery.

Summer Tourism: A Boost to Both Gaming and Non-Gaming Attractions

The summer season traditionally marks the peak of tourism for Macau, with families and tourists flocking to the region’s luxurious resorts, entertainment complexes, and casinos. This year, however, the summer tourism boom has been particularly robust, fueled by the return of large-scale entertainment and a general relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, both gaming and non-gaming attractions are seeing an uptick in visitors, offering a diversified experience that has successfully counteracted any softness in other market sectors.

Macau’s integrated resorts have seen a resurgence in family tourism, with many visitors opting for a blend of relaxation, shopping, and high-end entertainment, in addition to casino gaming. This diversified tourism offering has been instrumental in helping Macau recover from the challenges faced during the pandemic, positioning the city for a strong summer season.

For the first half of 2025, market statistics indicate that while VIP gaming remains stable, it is the mass market segment that is leading the charge for growth. This is consistent with the broader trend of leisure and entertainment tourism driving the city’s economy, underscoring the success of Macau’s strategy to expand its tourism offering beyond just gaming.

The Outlook: Market Forecasts and Expectations

In response to the strong performance in the opening weeks of July, Citigroup analysts have raised their monthly GGR forecast from MOP19.5 billion to MOP20 billion ($2.5 billion). If this forecast is realized, it would represent an 8% year-over-year growth and approximately 82% of the GGR levels seen in July 2019, before the pandemic disrupted tourism and gaming activities.

For the rest of the month, analysts estimate an average daily GGR of MOP628 million ($78.5 million), with cautious optimism that the city can maintain its pace even as large-scale concerts come to an end. The overall GGR for the first half of 2025 reached MOP118.8 billion ($14.85 billion), reinforcing Macau’s position as Asia’s leading gaming destination.

As the summer season progresses, the city will continue to rely on a delicate balance of entertainment, tourism, and gaming to maintain its recovery. The combination of concert-driven tourism and family-focused leisure activities provides a solid foundation for sustained growth, ensuring that Macau remains a top destination for international visitors.

What Lies Ahead: Maintaining Growth in a Competitive Market

As we look to the future, the greatest challenge ahead for Macau’s gaming industry will be sustaining its growth after the concert season finishes fading into view. Analysts are watching keenly to observe how quickly and effectively the city can adapt when big events are no longer headlining the calendar. Long-term success will depend on continuing to attract tourists as well as entertainment aficionados to the city and sustaining the momentum with new and innovative attractions and events geared toward a wide range of visitors.

While Macau’s casinos persist in taking advantage of the tourist bulge during seasons, one cannot help but see that its population’s success isn’t merely based on gaming. It is its capacity to accommodate the changing needs of visitors, from massive entertainment festivals to kid-centric activities, that will determine its sustainable growth in the future. The gaming industry of Macau, in its future prospects, is exceeding expectations, poised to recover and flourish as a new era of pandemic-driven tourism and entertainment unfolds for its population.

References: Macau Government Tourism Office, Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Statistics and Census Service