Macau’s on line casino business reported a noticeable decline in gross gaming income (GGR) throughout June, with month-to-month takings falling 12.1% from a yr earlier because the expanded FIFA World Cup appeared to divert betting exercise away from town’s casinos.
Figures printed by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) confirmed June GGR reached MOP18.52 billion (US$2.29 billion), marking an 18.1% decline from May’s MOP22.61 billion (US$2.80 billion). According to Inside Asian Gaming, the month-to-month end result represented Macau’s weakest efficiency since September and broadly matched analysts’ expectations forward of the discharge.
Despite the softer month, on line casino income for the primary half of 2026 remained forward of final yr’s tempo. Between January and June, Macau generated MOP126.90 billion (US$15.72 billion) in GGR, a rise of 6.8% in contrast with the identical interval in 2025.
However, first-half income remained beneath pre-pandemic ranges. The six-month whole was nonetheless 15.1% decrease than the MOP149.50 billion recorded through the first half of 2019.
Expanded World Cup weighs on on line casino spending
Industry analysts had anticipated weaker gaming outcomes for each June and July due to the FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 by July 19.
Several analysis corporations prompt this yr’s event may have a bigger impact on on line casino demand than earlier worldwide soccer competitions due to its expanded format.
The 2026 World Cup options 48 taking part groups and a complete of 104 matches, considerably greater than the 64 matches performed throughout earlier World Cups and greater than double the 51 matches staged throughout UEFA Euro 2024.
Analysts consider the bigger schedule has inspired some gamers to allocate a higher share of their playing budgets towards sports activities betting fairly than on line casino gaming, contributing to decrease visitation and gaming volumes in Macau.
The June end result additionally mirrored the primary full month of World Cup competitors. At the time of the income announcement, the event had entered the Round of 32, with practically three weeks of matches nonetheless remaining earlier than the ultimate.
Holiday tourism helps customer arrivals
Although gaming income declined, Macau nonetheless benefited from sturdy customer visitors through the Dragon Boat Festival vacation.
The three-day public vacation, held from June 19 to June 21, generated greater than 380,000 customer arrivals, in line with police information. Simultaneous public holidays in Macau, Hong Kong and mainland China helped help cross-border journey through the pageant interval.
Even so, the rise in guests was not sufficient to offset softer gaming demand all through the month.
For the second quarter as a complete, Macau’s casinos generated slightly below MOP61.03 billion in gross gaming income. That represented a marginal decline of 0.1% in contrast with the identical interval final yr, when second-quarter GGR barely exceeded MOP61.11 billion.
Recovery anticipated after event ends
While June produced weaker-than-usual outcomes, analysts anticipate on line casino exercise to enhance as soon as the World Cup concludes.
Citigroup beforehand forecast that Macau’s restoration can be supported by a busy leisure schedule designed to draw regional guests through the second half of the summer time.
The upcoming occasions calendar contains performances by Ok-pop teams Babymonster, TWS and Enhypen, in addition to concert events by Taiwanese singer Zhao Chuan. Macau can also be scheduled to host the NBA China Games that includes the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks later this yr.
These occasions are anticipated to offer extra tourism demand after the World Cup ends, serving to on line casino operators regain momentum following the short-term slowdown linked to worldwide soccer.
Although June interrupted Macau’s latest development pattern, the first-half figures point out that the market continues to outperform final yr total, at the same time as year-on-year comparisons have change into extra demanding since May. Analysts will now be watching whether or not gaming income rebounds through the months following the conclusion of the expanded World Cup event.
