The Macau government collected a total of MOP$26.8 billion (US$3.33 billion) in gaming tax revenue through the first six months of 2023, representing a 107% increase on the MOP$12.94 billion (US$1.61 billion) it collected during the same period last year.
According to information from the Financial Services Bureau, the 1H23 tax figure was aided by a strong result in June, when tax revenue reached around MOP$6.0 billion (US$746 million). This was improved from MOP$5.7 billion (US$708 million) in May and the highest since Macau’s borders reopened on 8 January 2023.
The increase in tax revenue reflects ongoing recovery of the gaming industry in Macau, with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reporting industry-wide GGR of MOP$15.57 billion (US$1.93 billion) in May and MOP$15.21 billion (US$1.88 billion) in June. The June tax figure is related to May GGR.
Gaming tax revenue through the first six months represents 52.7% of the government’s budget of MOP$50.85 billion (US$6.30 billion) for FY23.
Total revenue generated by the government through June sits at MOP$33.3 billion (US$4.14 billion), meaning gaming tax has contributed 80.5% of Macau-wide income for the period.