The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) in Macau has reported a 40% increase in gross gaming revenue in August from the same month last year. Accumulated gross revenue for the eight months of 2010 is up over 63% on 2009 figures. However, the August revenue is actually the lowest percentage rise this year. May’s gross revenue was up 94.1% over the previous year following a 70.1% rise in April.

During the first half of this year revenue from high rollers has risen sharply – by 80% according to figures at Wynn Macau and over 50% at SJM casinos. Macau operators have added more VIP tables with high minimum bets. Visitor numbers from Mainland China were up 27% in the first half, overall tourist numbers were up 18%. Galaxy Entertainment Group recently said it was making extra investment in its Cotai casino project to speed the pace of construction. Galaxy’s first half earnings rose 91% from the previous year.

Melco Crown Entertainment reported first half net earnings of US$1.141 billion versus US$432.3 million in the six months ending June 30, 2009. The year-over-year increase in net revenue was driven by the opening of City of Dreams in June of 2009 and the better performance of Altira Macau under the traditional VIP business model adopted late last year.

According to DICJ statistics, VIP Baccarat revenue for the first half was not far short of the total for 2009. The number of both gaming tables and slot machines operating in Macau in the same six months has risen by 58 and 296 respectively whilst the number of casinos has remained the same. (E-09.02.10)

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