Macau Premium Mass Play Surges to Record High in October

The October Golden Week has once again proven to be a lucrative period for Macau, with premium mass play reaching unprecedented heights. According to a comprehensive report from Citigroup, the level of wagers from premium mass players soared during this festive week, shattering previous records and highlighting the enduring allure of Macau as a top gaming destination.

In a detailed October table survey, Citigroup noted, ‘the amount of premium mass wagers we observed… is record-breaking.’ This surge was fueled by a significant increase in premium mass players, colloquially known as ‘whales’, hitting the casinos. The utilization rate of premium mass tables skyrocketed to approximately 52 percent, marking the highest since the market’s reopening.

Remarkably, despite weaker Chinese discretionary spending trends throughout the year, the demand for premium mass gaming has shown extraordinary resilience. Analyst George Choi attributes this uptick to recent policy measures from the Chinese government that have positively influenced the gaming appetite.

The total premium mass wagers in October 2024 amounted to an astounding HK$27.2 million ($3.5 million), reflecting an impressive 81 percent increase from October 2023 and an 18 percent rise from Chinese New Year 2024. A record 966 premium mass players participated, representing a colossal 90 percent year-on-year increase. Although the average wager per player experienced a slight dip of 5 percent, settling at HK$28,150 ($3,625), it still ranked as the third-highest on record.

Additionally, visitor numbers during Macau’s October Golden Week managed to surpass those recorded in 2019, as observed by CLSA. These numbers underscore the strong recovery and attraction of Macau in the post-pandemic landscape.

High-Stakes Players at Record Levels

Alongside overall premium mass growth, Citigroup’s Whale Watch data unveiled a record surge in high-stakes players. The number of noted whales rose to 62, marking an 88 percent increase compared to October 2023 and a 51 percent rise since the Chinese New Year 2024.

Fascinatingly, the ‘Player of the Month’ spotlight settled on Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room, where a whale placed a staggering HK$420,000 ($54,083) bet. Concurrently, Wynn Palace’s Chairman Club witnessed five whales collectively wagering HK$1.1 million ($140,000) on a single hand, further illustrating the level of confidence and engagement from high rollers.

Galaxy Leads Premium Mass Segment Market Share

When it comes to market dominance, Galaxy holds the reins in the premium mass segment with a commanding 29 percent share of total wagers observed. The Horizon Room at Galaxy Macau, in particular, stood out with the highest total wagers, reaching HK$4.3 million ($550,000).

This business performance was further buoyed by a series of Andy Lau concerts held at Galaxy Arena from October 3rd to 6th, which attracted large audiences, subsequently boosting footfall and gaming participation at the venue.

Meanwhile, Wynn demonstrated robust performance during the Golden Week, enhancing its reputation as a strong player in the premium mass sector. Observations from Citigroup also highlight the strategic shifts at Londoner Grand Casino, which reopened with 168 smart baccarat tables featuring reduced minimum bets, making it more accessible to a broader player base.

New Side Bet Introduction

In an intriguing development, six major casino operators have introduced a new side bet for baccarat, dubbed Lucky 7/Super Lucky 7. This side bet, unique in its offering, presents players with potential payouts as lucrative as 100-to-1. Citigroup remarks that the casino house advantage for this bet is strategically positioned in the mid-to-high teens, more preferable for casinos compared to previous side bets introduced earlier this year.

The widespread rollout of Lucky 7/Super Lucky 7 has seen it become available at all major baccarat tables in venues such as Galaxy, MGM, Melco, Wynn, and selected tables at Sands, alongside a few at SJM’s Grand Lisboa and Grand Lisboa Palace.

This Golden Week performance further cements Macau’s standing in the world of premium mass gaming, underscoring its undiminished appeal and strategic adaptability in an ever-evolving gaming market.