Macau casino revenue climbed again in May, helped by Labour Day travel from mainland China and a stronger month for mass market gaming.
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Macau casinos generated MOP22.6bn in gross gaming revenue during May, according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. That beat April revenue of MOP19.9bn and gave operators a clear holiday lift.
Tourism did much of the work. Macau welcomed about 873,000 visitors during the five day Labour Day break, equal to nearly 174,600 arrivals per day. April had already shown stronger travel demand, with 3.44m visitor arrivals, up 11.3% from a year earlier. Mainland China remained the largest source market.
The May result also keeps 2026 ahead of last year. Macau GGR reached MOP108.4bn, or about $13.4bn, across the first five months. That reflects 10.9% growth from the same period in 2025.
Macau has now moved well beyond the early recovery phase. First quarter GGR reached MOP65.87bn, up 14.3% year on year. However, comparisons may tighten from here because the market now runs against stronger post pandemic months.
CBRE Equity Research expects Macau gaming revenue to rise 8.3% in 2026 after total GGR of MOP247.4bn in 2025. S&P Global Ratings has a lower range, with 2026 growth forecast at 3% to 7%, helped by premium mass demand, more visitors and steady casino earnings.
Gaming tax data also shows why Macau officials watch GGR closely. Macau collected MOP34.87bn in gaming tax revenue in the first four months of 2026, up 16.8% year on year. The government target for full year gaming tax revenue stands at MOP92.7bn.
Macau remains the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, which gives the city a unique role in Asian gaming. The market still depends heavily on mainland travel, but mass gaming has become more important since junket activity declined.