• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau comeback slow but a cleaner market says expert

Oct 28, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau comeback slow but a cleaner market says expert

Necessary Covid-19 control measures are nonetheless sapping energy from Macau’s casino floors and helping to slow revenue recovery, says Alidad Tash, a former senior vice president of gaming operations and strategy at Macau licensee Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, and now a working as a consultant.

But the investor and player appeal of Macau will remain, thanks to its access to a huge consumer market in mainland China – and other parts of Asia once pandemic-related travel restrictions ease – and because it is developing a “cleaner” financial image, with its dependence on the junket trade for VIP players, likely to dwindle, added Mr Tash.

He made his remarks while giving a presentation on Wednesday at an event hosted by France Macau Chamber of Commerce.

Covid-19 countermeasures and enforced distance between casino customers – in terms of limiting seat numbers at gaming tables and slot machines and customers interacting on the floor – had made gambling currently in Macau a “very clinical” process, remarked Mr Tash, founder and managing director at 2NT8 Ltd.

“That’s why” Macau gaming earnings were “not where they are supposed to be,” he suggested to his audience.

Currently, just to get on the floor, casino customers in Macau need to show a valid certificate of freedom from Covid-19 infection. In any case, residents of mainland China – the only Macau tourism customer segment from outside the city that is currently entitled to travel-bubble status with Macau – must have a test certificate issued within seven days of arrival, just to get into Macau without undergoing a 14-day quarantine on arrival.

Those turning up at Macau’s casino entrances also need to have their body temperature checked. Casino-floor table dealers are also required to put on masks, and the Macau government mandates that any gaming area inside a casino must limit the tally of gaming tables in operation.

More time is needed for consumers to “feel comfortable” not only about making leisure trips but also about spending on non-essentials in general, suggested Mr Tash.

Recovery “is going to take a while,” perhaps until “2023, 2024,” Mr Tash remarked; adding that currently “you can’t even get here from some other countries,” due to travel restrictions.

The change in the structure of Macau gaming revenue – from VIP to mass play – was likely to continue, as China has had a “further crackdown” on capital flow out of China, including tighter monitoring of money for overseas bets, noted the consultant.

The Macau-centred VIP junkets are likely to “consolidate” in terms of numbers in the market, suggested Mr Tash. “They are going to be much more corporatised – much cleaner than before,” he added, remarking that should be “good” for the outlook of Macau’s casino sector.

Macau was the place that could make Chinese patrons “feel both at home and abroad at the same time,” he stated.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau unemployment an instability factor to security: govt
    Macau unemployment an instability...

    May 24, 2022  

  • GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q profit, up sequentially
    GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q...

    May 12, 2022  

More news
  • Singapore visitor tally in year to April beats full-2021
    Singapore visitor tally in year to...

    May 25, 2022  

  • Leisure and Resorts 1Q loss widens as costs rise
    Leisure and Resorts 1Q loss widens as...

    May 25, 2022  


Latest News

Singapore visitor tally in year to April beats full-2021

Singapore visitor tally in year to April beats full-2021

May 25, 2022  

Visitor volume to Singapore grew by 472.2 percent year-on-year in the first four months of 2022, to 540,430, according to data issued by the city-state’s tourism board. The four-month figure is...
Read More
Leisure and Resorts 1Q loss widens as costs rise

Leisure and Resorts 1Q loss widens as costs rise

May 25, 2022  

Macau unemployment an instability factor to security: govt

Macau unemployment an instability factor to security: govt

May 24, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”If China’s travel easing gets delayed to the second half of 2023 [Macau operator’s aggregate net debt] could rise another US$2 billion, to US$27 billion by end-2023"

Praveen Choudhary, Gareth Leung and Thomas Allen

Analysts at Morgan Stanley banking group



Most Popular

  • Wynn Macau Ltd asks managers to take 10pct wage in stockWynn Macau Ltd asks managers to take 10pct wage in stock May 24, 2022
  • Macau GGR tax cut idea tied to China outlook: brokerageMacau GGR tax cut idea tied to China outlook: brokerage May 23, 2022
  • Macau op debt to hit US$25bln unless travel eased 2H: MSMacau op debt to hit US$25bln unless travel eased 2H: MS May 24, 2022
  • Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau LegendReview saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau Legend May 23, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us