VIP baccarat saw its share in Macau gross gaming revenue fall further to just 31.5% in the three months to 30 September 2021 as the impact of COVID-19 and crackdowns on cross-border gambling by mainland China authorities continue to take their toll.
According to information published by Macau’s Gaming and Inspection Coordination Bureau, VIP baccarat GGR fell 80.8% compared with the same quarter in 2019 and 29.9% versus 2Q21 to MOP$5.96 billion.
The segment contributed 33.7% of total table revenue and just 31.5% of all gaming revenue – down from 45.3% in the same quarter last year and less than half the 73% share it enjoyed back in 2011.
By comparison, mass table baccarat accounted for 66.3% of total table revenue and 55.8% of all gaming revenue.
Mass GGR, inclusive of slot machines, fell 67.8% compared with 3Q19 and 56.4% compared with 2Q21 to MOP$10.56 billion.
The September quarter results were heavily impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks in Macau – one in early August and another late September – which saw restrictions imposed on the border between Macau and Zhuhai.
The DICJ had earlier this month reported GGR for the month of September of MOP$5.88 billion (US$733 million), barely half of this year’s high of MOP$10.45 billion (US$1.30 billion) recorded in May.