Records Show Mini Revival In Casino Numbers
Macau casinos recovered a $1 billion win to start 2021. While the overall industry shows some revival signs, January 2021 still shows similar problems that have plagued the industry for the better part of 2020.
The $1 billion won in January represents a sizeable drop to the $1.77 billion won in 2021. But it was a noticeable improvement in December numbers.
A more favorable comparison period is February, as this was the time a year ago when China started ordering people to stay indoors and restrict travel.
“Premium mass was the best performing segment during the month, while junket VIP was most hamstrung, and base mass continued to be hampered by low levels of visitors and Hong Kong travel closure,” gaming analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein said. “In addition, January continued to be negatively impacted by visitation bottlenecks due to visa processing and COVID-19 testing requirements.”
2020 was one of the worst years number wise since 2006 for all Macau casinos. Values for January 2021 made it the 12th consecutive month the industry’s gaming revenue has declined.
Travel Restrictions In Macau Continues
As it was in February 2020, travel restrictions will continue in February 2021. Currently, traveling in and out of Macau is not easy. Right now, Macau has within its right to close its border and prevent people from gaining traveling in and out.
The discovery of a new coronavirus strain in various parts of Asia has made Macau tighten its travel restrictions. The good news is that Macau went seven months without recording any new incident.
People coming to Macau from anywhere apartment from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China will be prohibited from entering Macau. People from the places mentioned above are allowed entry so long they possess a recent negative Covid test.
Those given access will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine period ranging from 14 to 21 days.
Records show that close to 90% fewer people visited Macau last year compared to the previous year. Macau welcomed close to 6 million people in 2020.
Casino Staff Vaccinations
Macau’s economy is reliant on its gaming industry. Casinos generate close to 90 percent of the internally generated revenue.
This is one of the reasons why Macau’s government announced recently that casino workers would be placed at the front of the COVID-19 vaccinations line. The priority list will include government officials, medical workers, teachers, and professional drivers along with casino workers.
