Industry analysts attributed the year-on-year slowdown to declining revenue and betting volume from VIP gamers resulting from the Chinese government’s visa restrictions. However, official comment on this matter is not available at present.
Earlier last month, Beijing had further tightened its restrictions on mainland visitors entering Macau, which only allow mainland tourists to visit Macau every three months, compared with one trip every two weeks before June.
In addition, from September 1, mainlanders traveling to or working in Hong Kong have been required to apply for separate permits to visit Macau. Casino revenue took up 60% of Macau’s GDP in the past year and the industry accounts for 80% of government revenue.