Gross revenue generated by Macau’s sports lottery monopoly fell by 8.6 percent year-on-year in 2015, show data from the local gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
The annual aggregate of such revenue was MOP673 million (US$83.6 million), compared to MOP736 million in 2014.
Prior to the downturn in the city’s casino gambling market, Macau’s casinos combined were able to generate the latter amount of revenue in fewer than two days from table games operations alone.
Macau Slot Co Ltd currently has a government concession for sports betting in Macau. It is due to expire on June 5 this year.
The monopoly’s two main betting categories – football and basketball – generated respectively MOP503 million and MOP170 million in calendar year 2015. In 2014 the tallies were MOP598 million and MOP138 million respectively.
Macau Slot is part of the business empire built by Stanley Ho Hung Sun, founder of Macau casino operator SJM Holdings Ltd.
The Macau Horse Racing Co Ltd is another current monopoly founded by Mr Ho’s business interests. It is authorised to offer horse racing in the city at the Macau Jockey Club racecourse at Taipa, along with trackside betting and off track wagering via some dedicated betting parlours in the city.
Gross revenue from horse race betting in Macau fell 45.8 percent year-on-year in 2015. Such revenue was MOP166 million, versus MOP306 million in 2014.
Mr Ho and related interests control the Macau Horse Racing Co. Angela Leong On Kei, Mr Ho’s fourth consort, is on the board.
Gross revenue from greyhound racing – another monopoly founded by Mr Ho’s business interests – declined 13.8 percent in the 12 months to December 31. The annual tally was MOP125 million, compared to MOP145 million in 2014.
Macau’s dog racing track is on Macau peninsula and is operated by Macau (Yut Yuen) Canidrome Co Ltd. Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau SA, a private company also founded by Mr Ho, is understood to be the biggest shareholder in Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome.
Data from China’s Ministry of Finance show that combined sales of mainland China’s two authorised lottery systems – the welfare lottery and the sports lottery – in the first 11 months of last year amounted to RMB333.8 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 3.6 percent.
