The Macau government generated MOP$10.1 billion (US$1.25 billion) in gaming tax revenue in the March 2023 quarter, up 15.8% on the MOP$8.7 billion (US$1.08 billion) generated in the same period a year earlier.
According to information published by the Financial Services Bureau, the 1Q23 result included gaming tax of MOP$1.58 billion (US$196 million) in January, rising to MOP$4.51 billion (US$559 million) in February before stabilizing at MOP$4.02 billion (US$498 million) in March.
Macau began easing its anti-pandemic policies in December last year before dropping almost all border restrictions on 8 January 2023. Gaming revenue subsequently reached MOP$11.58 billion (US$1.44 billion) in January, up 82.5% year-on-year, rising to MOP$14.72 billion (US$1.82 billion) in April, up 450%.
Macau’s gross gaming revenue for the first quarter was MOP$34.6 billion (US$4.29 billion), up 94.9% year-on-year.
The 1Q23 tax collection represents 19.9% of the government’s budgeted MOP$50.9 billion (US$6.31 billion) tax take for the full year. It has also forecast gross gaming revenue of MOP$130 billion (US$16.1 billion) although recent GGR figures suggest that figure will be comfortably exceeded.