The amount was comfortably higher than MOP3.34bn in the same month in 2022 and 5.8% ahead of MOP14.7m in April of this year.

May’s total was also the highest monthly figure so far this calendar year.

Macau has continued to benefit from the widespread relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, with almost all measures having been removed.

Visitors from outside of China who enter the country no longer have to quarantine, while the number of flights into China will no longer be capped. This followed major nationwide protests against the length and severity of the government’s “zero-Covid” policy.

For the year to date, gambling revenue in the region in the five months to the end of May reached MOP64.9m, some 172.9% higher than at the same point in 2022.

Concessions

Earlier this year, Macau also announced the start of new concessions for gaming operators in the region.

Seven applicants applied for the new concessions: incumbents Galaxy Entertainment Group, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Melco Resorts, SJM Resorts and Wynn Resorts, plus Genting Malaysia.

The six operators already active in Macau were chosen, meaning Genting missed out.

The new concessions began on 1 January and will end on 31 December 2032.