Galaxy Macau captured an unusually massive share of premium-mass betting noticed throughout Citigroup’s July desk survey, as actions linked to a global volleyball match helped the Cotai resort appeal to high-value prospects regardless of disruption from Typhoon Noul.
Analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau carried out the month-to-month survey on Friday whereas the storm approached Macau and Hong Kong. Although foot visitors throughout the market appeared lighter, they stated they have been “more than surprised by the lively crowd we saw and the whales we ran into at Galaxy Macau”.
Galaxy Entertainment Group co-organized the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals Macao 2026 with the Macau authorities. The match happened on the Macau East Asian Games Dome from July 22 to 26.
“We attribute it to Galaxy’s co-organising ‘FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League – Finals Macao 2026’ with the Macau government on July 22 to 26.”
The occasion coincided with Galaxy Macau recording 43% of all premium-mass wagers noticed through the survey. That represented the best share recorded for the property within the month-to-month evaluate and a rise from 35% in July 2025.
Volleyball Activities Draw High-Value Visitors
Galaxy organized a number of actions across the match, together with autograph periods involving Team China and different collaborating nationwide groups.
“Knowing the recognition of the game in China, Galaxy strategically organised quite a few occasions across the match (e.g., an autograph session with Team China and different nationwide groups).
“We would not be surprised if some good tickets were reserved for its top [casino] players. This once again suggests that well-chosen right non-gaming offerings are a powerful tool to induce the affluent Chinese to visit Macau and spend money there.”
The survey outcomes positioned Galaxy Entertainment properly forward of different Macau operators in noticed premium-mass exercise. The analysts referred to as the corporate the “runaway leader in premium mass”, with “an unprecedented 43 percent share versus July 2025’s 35 percent in total wager observed”.
Galaxy’s efficiency was additionally “highlighted by the fact that the top three whales we ran into this month were all seen at Galaxy Macau”.
Citigroup classifies a whale as a on line casino buyer inserting wagers of HKD100,000 or extra.
According to GGRAsia, the biggest participant noticed through the July evaluate wagered HKD600,000, equal to roughly US$76,400, at Pavilion South.
“We noticed our participant of the month at Pavilion South of Galaxy Macau wagering HKD600,000.
“Honourable mentions go to the two whale players at Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room, wagering HKD440,000 and HKD300,000 respectively.”
Those two wagers have been equal to roughly US$56,100 and US$38,200.
The mixture of the match and associated actions supported Galaxy Macau’s efficiency throughout a weekend when the approaching storm appeared to discourage some guests from touring to the town.
Premium-Mass Wagers Rise From June
Across the properties included within the survey, Citigroup noticed HKD13 million, or roughly US$1.66 million, in premium-mass wagers.
The whole elevated 33% from the HKD9.8 million recorded through the financial institution’s June evaluate. It remained 19% under the end result from July 2025.
The analysts stated the annual decline was “likely due to some players postponing their Macau trips, with Typhoon Noul approaching”.
Citigroup counted 581 premium-mass gamers through the July go to, representing a 15% lower from the identical month final 12 months.
“This implies that average wager per player” in July this 12 months “fell 5 percent year-on-year to a still respectable HKD22,367, versus HKD23,536 in July 2025,” stated the financial institution.
The common wager of HKD22,367 equaled roughly US$2,850.
The survey recognized 24 whales throughout the market. That quantity remained unchanged from June, whereas falling from 35 in July 2025.
Average betting exercise among the many highest-value prospects improved from the earlier month.
“It is interesting to note that the average wager-per-whale in July 2026 improved 9 percent month-on-month to HKD182,500, although this is still 13 percent lower versus July 2025.”
The common wager of HKD182,500 represented roughly US$23,200.
The survey additionally confirmed a decrease entry level for mass-market baccarat gamers. The common minimal wager throughout Macau decreased 10% year-on-year to HKD1,898, or about US$242. The comparable determine in July 2025 was HKD2,110.
Other Macau Properties Record High-Value Play
Citigroup additionally noticed a number of massive wagers outdoors Galaxy Macau.
At MGM Macau’s Supreme Room, the analysts recognized a South Korean buyer betting HKD100,000.
“We ran into a [South] Korean whale player (wagering HKD100,000) at MGM Macau’s Supreme Room,” at MGM China Holdings Ltd’s downtown property.
MGM Macau was additionally internet hosting a members-only live performance that includes Chinese rock singer Wang Feng through the survey interval.
At City of Dreams, a participant wagered HKD200,000 in a non-public salon on the Signature Club. The desk carried a HKD30,000 minimal wager, the best minimal noticed through the go to.
“We saw a HKD200,000 premium mass player playing at a HKD30,000 min bet table – the highest minimum-bet [table] we saw on the day – at a private salon at City of Dreams’ Signature Club,” the analysts famous.
Citigroup additionally in contrast baccarat minimums at two Sands China casinos.
“The average baccarat minimum bet at the Londoner Casino, on our numbers, is HKD2,851. This represents a 58 percent premium versus Londoner Grand [casino], but this premium seems considerably lower than the first-half average.”
