Including slot machines, Bain says that August’s full run-rate could potentially reach us$ 3.33 billion, or up by 9 percent year-on-year. That would also set a new all-time high for the industry; Macau’s current record for monthly casino gross gaming revenue stands at us$ 3.30 billion and was set in October last year.
For now, Sterne Agee’s estimates still stay below that – the brokerage house yesterday raised its August gross gaming revenue forecast to near us$ 3.2 billion from us$ 3.1 billion.
“From there, we anticipate September to end close to a positive 9-percent [growth] year-on-year, which could be boosted higher with the Phase 2 opening of Cotai Central. Subsequently, Macau benefits from [the] National Day Golden Week, which kicks off the seasonally strongest quarter of the year,” Bain wrote.
Also this week, Wells Fargo released a report stating Macau casino revenues were likely to be up 5 to 10 percent in August based on the first 19 days of the month, and were on track to reach a monthly record.