Sands China leads Macau market in May

Jun 03, 2014 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  

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Sands China Ltd has seen its market share of casino gross gaming revenue in Macau increase to 23.2 percent in May, according to industry figures compiled by GGRAsia on Tuesday.

Deutsche Bank analyst Karen Tang had said SJM Holdings Ltd ceded its role as Macau market leader in the first quarter of 2014, with rival Sands China claiming 23.2 percent to SJM’s 23 percent in the first three months of the year.

SJM had reclaimed its Macau market leader status from Sands China in April with 23.4 percent, but SJM’s market share went down to 23.1 percent in May.

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd bagged a 21.2 percent share of Macau gaming revenue last month, compared to 12.8 percent for Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.

Wynn Macau Ltd came fifth with 10.5 percent of the market share, ahead of MGM China Holdings Ltd with 9.3 percent, according to the figures compiled by GGRAsia.

Market-wide, Macau’s casino gross gaming revenues for May reached MOP32.35 billion (US$4.05 billion); a year-on-year increase of 9.3 percent said the local regulator.

May revenue grew at the slowest monthly rate seen in four months, with the VIP segment likely to be tracking below expectations, analysts say. That won’t be clear officially until after the end of the second quarter when the split between mass-market and VIP gaming numbers will be announced by Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

Sands China closed at HK$55.7 (US$7.2) on Tuesday, down 1.4 percent in Hong Kong trading. SJM shares slid 3.1 percent to HK$21.6 and Galaxy Entertainment skidded 3.06 percent to HK$60.1.

Melco Crown dropped 1.5 percent, Wynn Macau closed 1.2 percent lower and MGM China shares slid 0.56 percent.

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