Macau Daily GGR Rebounds 9% as World Cup Distraction Eases, Citi Reports
2026-07-21
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Citi analysts estimate Macau's daily GGR rose 9% week-on-week as the World Cup's pull faded, though the full-month July forecast remains at MOP 21 billion, implying a 5% year-on-year decline.
Macau's casino market experienced a notable weekly recovery as the draw of the FIFA World Cup 2026 began to subside, according to Citi analysts. Average daily gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the week commencing July 6 climbed approximately 9% compared with the prior seven-day period.
The uptick was linked to the tournament's reduced fixture list as it entered its final stages before concluding on Sunday. With fewer football matches competing for patrons' time and discretionary spending, casino activity was able to regain some traction.
Citi's George Choi and Timothy Chau estimated that daily GGR reached around MOP 679 million for that week, up from roughly MOP 621 million previously. For the first 19 days of July, cumulative GGR was estimated at approximately MOP 12.05 billion. Despite the recent improvement, the analysts kept their full-month July forecast unchanged at MOP 21 billion—a level that, if met, would represent a year-on-year decline of about 5%. To hit that target, Macau's casinos would need to generate roughly MOP 746 million in average daily GGR over the remainder of the month.
Segment performance remained relatively stable during the period. VIP betting volumes were estimated to be flat to 2% higher month-on-month, while mass-market GGR held largely steady. VIP hold rates also strengthened compared with the previous week, based on industry feedback.
With the World Cup now finished, Citi expects Macau's gaming market to accelerate its recovery as attention shifts back to casino and leisure spending. A packed schedule of entertainment and tourism events in the coming weeks should further support visitation, potentially giving operators added momentum after the temporary World Cup-related slowdown.