New data published by Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau has revealed a 19.6% sequential increase in VIP baccarat revenues in 1Q21, outstripping the pace of recovery from the mass market segment.
According to the DICJ’s figures, VIP baccarat contributed GGR of MOP$9.13 billion (US$1.14 billion) in the three months to 31 March 2021, up from MOP$7.63 billion (US$953.6 million) in 4Q20.
By comparison, mass baccarat recorded only a slight 1.8% increase to MOP$12.06 billion (US$1.51 billion), with total Macau revenue from games of fortune for the quarter growing 8.1% sequentially to MOP$23.81 billion (US$2.97 billion).
The surge in VIP revenue saw the segment reclaim some market share, rising from just 34.6% of Macau’s GGR in the final three months of 2020 to 38.3% in Q1 – although it remains down on the 45.3% share it enjoyed in 3Q20 and well below a decade ago when VIP baccarat accounted for 73% of the city’s gaming revenue. Mass baccarat contributed 50.6% of revenue in 1Q21.
Macau’s 1Q21 revenue results reflect rising visitation through the month of March, tempered by a slower than expected start to the year following an outbreak of COVID-19 in parts of mainland China which impacted travel during Chinese New Year.
