Retendering21-22

  Maintaining game pace, ensuring dealer expertise and the availability of “smart” gaming tables are all important elements if the Macau casino market is to see a successful expansion of a baccarat ‘insurance bet’, a product that sparks some interest among players while also boosting house advantage, say several industry experts spoken to by GGRAsia. Guaranteeing dealers had sufficient training to handle the complexity of ‘baccarat insurance’ rules and payouts would be important if the option were to have a chance of gaining popularity, observed the experts. Baccarat insurance bets have been offered recently at the “Supreme” high-limit rooms at MGM Macau and MGM Cotai, according to a Citigroup  January survey  of Macau premium-table bets. GGRAsia approached MGM China Holdings Ltd, operator of the two properties; and the local regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, for comment on the insurance-bet topic, but had not received a reply from either, by the time this story

may24 HK Mainland Chinese visitors have historically been the lifeblood of Hong Kong’s retail and services sectors, spending on everything from basic goods like baby formula to luxury handbags and upscale restaurants — helping to shape the city’s economy in the process. But after three years of Covid isolation, and before that a year of sometimes violent protests — not to mention the growing appeal of fast-developing mainland cities — Hong Kong has lost its shine for many Chinese tourists and is a long way from regaining its go-to status, observers say. Local authorities had hoped one million people would cross the border on May 1, the start of the traditional “Golden Week” boom time for Hong Kong’s tourism and retail sectors, but the crowds at Lo Wu were moderate on Wednesday.  “Hong Kong is much more expensive than before,” said a technician surnamed Leung, 54, who was planning to visit local theme parks with his young children.  https://www.macaubusiness.com/hong-kong-faces-uphill-b

jan24 Brokerage firm Citigroup said that player demand had remained robust in Macau, as indicated by an increase in premium mass baccarat tables across the city in January. In a recent report, analysts George Choi and Ryan Cheung noted that at least 98 premium mass baccarat tables were added to Macau casinos this month, while the total wager observed showed a significant month-on-month increase of 26 per cent to HKD11.5 million (MOP11.8 million/ US$1.4 million). Among the recently added baccarat tables, 55 were located at the newly opened Oilong Club at Studio City’s Epic Tower and Galaxy Macau’s Pavilion South, while an additional 43 premium mass tables were introduced to other casinos.  The analysts highlighted that players’ passion for gaming did not seem to be impacted by the current state of the Chinese economy. https://www.macaubusiness.com/647198-2/   jan24 Das receitas totais angariadas pelas concessionárias em 2022, o peso das receitas das actividades não jogo subiu 12 pontos

mar24 The fight for market share among Macau gaming operators is becoming a concern among investors, while the Asia gaming hub is expected to experience a moderating pace of revenue recovery in 2024. After an impressive  rebound  in 2023, Macau gaming companies are facing intensifying competition and normalizing visitation. Therefore, 2024 is expected to be a year of finding a new normal. Based on research from  CLSA , analysts  Jeffrey Kiang  and Leo Pan indicate that the pace of GGR normalization will be the key focus this year, particularly ‘the growth trajectory of mass revenue, which has already largely normalized in 4Q23.’ Last year, Macau’s GGR returned to 74 percent of pre-COVID levels in October, as that month recorded the highest monthly GGR since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020. Additionally, Macau’s tourism demonstrated an improved appeal as a travel destination, with the length of stay being extended. At the same time, Macau had ‘healthier’ and ‘steady’ visitation comp

 jan24 O presidente do grupo Delta Asia Financial, Stanley Au, duvida de que a indústria do jogo consiga manter a sua posição de liderança nos próximos 5 a 10 anos. Numa retrospectiva sobre o ano passado e previsões para o futuro publicadas ontem no Jornal “Ou Mun”, Stanley Au mencionou “cinco factores”. Na sua opinião, além de não haver certezas de que o Governo Central dê sempre “luz verde” à RAEM para se manter como a única região chinesa onde é legal a operação do jogo, a digitalização do renminbi no Interior da China e a eventual digitalização gradual do dólar de Hong Kong e da pataca levarão à redução expressiva de “jogadores ricos”. A par disso, o surgimento de novos casinos em regiões vizinhas resultará numa concorrência mais renhida, enquanto a fiscalização cada vez mais forte relativamente à lavagem de dinheiro enfraquecerá gradualmente os negócios das salas VIP. O banqueiro alertou que, se isso vier a acontecer, a economia local irá desacelerar gradualmente e aumentará o núm