Macau’s premium mass gaming players remained strong in March

Citigroup described March as a “normal month” with no long vacations, and their latest spot-check research of Macau’s premium mass gaming tables shows that the level of players remained strong.

A total of HKD10.0 million (US$1.3 million) was wagered on the market in March, a 73% increase from the same month the previous year.

A 71% rise over the previous year was reported in the survey, which indicated 482 premium mass players. A consistent level of player skill is evident as the average wager per player in March was HKD20,817, a little higher than the HKD20,539 figure from March 2023.

In contrast to previous non-holiday months, the expected wager per player was still high, according to analysts George Choi and Ryan Cheung, who noted that the most recent survey was conducted on a regular Friday rather than over a holiday season.

By holding a quarter of all observed bets, Wynn Macau Ltd. topped the market share poll in March. It was unexpected when MGM China Holdings Ltd., with an estimated 21% share, came in second position. This was made possible by strong gaming volumes at MGM Cotai, which were comparable to those during the 2024 Chinese New Year period.

At the Supreme room of MGM Macau, a prominent player reported in the research bet HKD $400,000. Additional baccarat tables with insurance bet options were introduced by MGM China, attracting players who used strategies like to those of financial market “option traders.”

Although March is not a holiday month in China, Citigroup was taken aback to see that premium mass wagers totaling HKD1 million had been placed at MGM Cotai for the second consecutive month. Although the company’s market share has grown, MGM China’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, cautioned against assuming this trend would continue in January.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. implemented improvements to its gaming operation at City of Dreams, based on operational patterns noted in the March survey. Notably, the company opened up its Qi Long club as a semi-open area and designated the Dragon Palace as the sole premium mass room available to members exclusively.

As per the survey, there was a little less crowding than usual in the high-limit area of Sands China Ltd’s Venetian Macao.

Original story by: GGRAsia