A new report has praised the gaming industry in Macau stating that it will “remain unrivaled for the foreseeable future”. Macau Daily News carries the quotes from HVS, a global consulting and services organization focused on the gaming and leisure industry. The strength of the industry has meant visitor numbers from Mainland China hit a record 4.4 million in Q1 and HVS analysts Daniel J. Voellm and Cathy Luo added: “Strong visitor arrivals from mainland China was supported by increased capacity at gaming tables and the Renminbi appreciation.”
SJM Holdings remains top amongst all casino business firms in Macau but could soon be caught by a cluster of ambitious firms. The company formerly majority owned by Stanley Ho has 27 percent of the world’s largest casino market. Galaxy Entertainment Group holds 20 percent of the market in second place with Sands China next down the list with 17 percent. That position will see a spike when Sands Cotai Central opens its doors to the public this month. Melco Crown Entertainment is expecting to benefit from that opening and will hope their market share of 14 percent increases as a result. Bringing up the rear are Wynn Macau with 12 percent and MGM China Holdings with just 10 percent of the market.
VIP-room operator Asia Entertainment & Resources Limited (AERL) announced a 36 percent increase in rolling chip turnover in March. Compared with the previous year the figure jumped to US$1.767 billion and grew faster than the gambling industry enclave as a whole. For Q1 the figure was US$5.384 billion and that in itself was up 32 percent year-on-year. AERL Chairman Lam Man Pou added: “Play volumes continue to be strong in our VIP rooms and we continue to expect double-digit growth in Rolling Chip Turnover for 2012.”
