Macau’s casinos came roaring back during the first five days of October’s Golden Week, raking in MOP 5.5 billion (US$686 million) in gross gaming revenue — the best start to the holiday period in over five years. With an average of MOP 1.1 billion (US$138 million) per day, the performance confirms the city’s status as Asia’s gambling powerhouse, even as a typhoon threw travel plans into disarray.
Over 790,000 visitors poured into Macau between October 1 and 5, packing casino floors, hotels, and ferry terminals. Analysts from JP Morgan called it the “strongest Golden Week performance in years,” driven by solid spending from both regular and high-stakes players.
Typhoon Matmo Slows Momentum, But Demand Remains Firm
The party hit a snag on October 5 when Typhoon Matmo forced flight cancellations and ferry disruptions, causing daily visitor numbers to drop by 25%. The dip was sharp — from 191,176 visitors on Saturday to just over 113,000 the next day — but analysts aren’t worried.
JP Morgan’s team believes many of those disrupted travelers will simply delay their trips rather than cancel them. With the Golden Week holiday extended to eight days this year instead of the usual seven, they expect a second wave of demand to keep revenue flowing through the following week.
What This Means for the Average Player
For everyday online casino players, Macau’s strong Golden Week numbers could signal a more confident and competitive market. More foot traffic means operators are seeing cash flow return, which could lead to more promotions, online-offline crossover events, and even broader game offerings down the line — especially from brands tied to Macau giants.
And with the surge driven partly by premium mass players, there’s a good chance that VIP-style perks could start trickling down to regular bettors looking for better value or experiences.
Full-Month Forecast: October to Break Records
JP Morgan isn’t changing its prediction for the month. Total October GGR is still projected to hit MOP 23 billion (US$2.87 billion), a 11–13% rise over last year — and the highest monthly total since 2019.
They expect daily averages to cool slightly to MOP 750 million in the second week of October, but that’s still a year-on-year growth rate in the mid-to-high teens. Compared to typical post-peak drop-offs, this resilience points to a more stable recovery.
Casino Stocks Wobble, Long-Term Outlook Steady
Typhoon disruptions rattled the stock market, with gaming stocks taking a temporary hit. Melco dropped 6.5%, MGM China slid 4.7%, and Sands, Galaxy, and SJM each dipped around 2%. But analysts aren’t reading too much into the short-term losses. Strong visitation numbers, ongoing demand from the mainland, and improved economic indicators are all contributing to a steady upward trend.
Eyes on the Road Ahead
Macau’s casino scene is clearly regaining its rhythm. With solid holiday demand, better travel access, and a more diversified entertainment scene, analysts now expect double-digit gaming revenue growth through at least early 2026.
If momentum holds through the rest of October, the month could be Macau’s best in six years — a powerful signal that the city’s gaming industry has found its post-pandemic stride.
For the average gambler, that means more games, more options, and a more vibrant online-to-offline casino ecosystem to tap into — even if you’re playing from your couch instead of a baccarat table on the Cotai Strip.
