Macau posts Jan. gaming revenue hike

The Macau gaming industry is off to a blistering start to 2018.

January gross gaming revenue surged 36 percent compared with the same month in 2017, the biggest year-overyear jump in four years. Wall Street analysts were expecting about 21 percent growth.

Revenue reached $3.25 billion, according to data released Thursday from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

January and February can often see big swings compared with the previous year due to the calendar fluctuations of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Macau can see a slowdown in the days leading up the two-week Chinese New Year holiday. Last year the holiday started at the end of January, contributing to lower gaming revenue. This year, the celebration will start in mid-february, contributing to the boost in January revenue.

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Analysts prefer to compare the combined January and February revenue figures with the first two months of the previous year to get a better indication of trends.

Macau has been on a tear for more than a year as VIP players return after a Chinese government crackdown on corruption.

Junket credit flows are improving, and Chinese interest in the enclave is rising.

Last year, gaming revenue rose 19.1 percent, the first increase in three years.

Macau’s revenue growth has been driving the fortunes of Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands, both of which generate the majority of their earnings from the Chinese gaming enclave.

Wynn Resorts shares are up 75 percent over the past year, while Sands has gained 51 percent.

MGM Resorts International will open its second gaming resort on Macau this month.

The Review-journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.

Contact Todd Prince at tprince@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0386. Follow @toddprincetv on Twitter.