Global Updates

The Macau Gaming Industry is witnessing a resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic, with positive GGR forecasts and dominant players shaping the landscape.

Key highlights include:

Seaport Research Partners has revised Macau’s 2025 GGR forecast to a 7% year-on-year growth, attributing this optimism to a robust second-quarter performance and a promising outlook for the year. May 2025 saw Macau reach its highest monthly GGR since the pandemic began, recording MOP 21.19 billion (USD 2.62 billion), demonstrating a significant rebound in gambling activity [1][2][3].
Galaxy Entertainment holds a significant market presence, contributing to this growth trend. Galaxy is widely acknowledged as one of the leading operators driving Macau’s gaming revenues [1][3].
Regulatory changes and broader economic strategies are impacting the sector. Macau’s government is actively working towards economic diversification, promoting non-gaming entertainment such as culinary, shopping, and hospitality experiences to attract high-end tourists and enhance the city's appeal beyond casinos [5].
Although no recent regulatory changes directly affecting Macau’s gaming industry are detailed, regional sentiments (e.g., from the Philippines) suggest a general trend of balancing regulation with player protection, focusing on crackdowns of unregulated gambling channels rather than outright bans. This cautious regulatory stance supports industry growth while ensuring sustainability [4].

In summary, the Macau gaming industry is experiencing a post-pandemic recovery with strong revenue projections, led by major players like Galaxy Entertainment. This revival occurs within a context of strategic economic diversification and regulatory oversight aimed at long-term sustainability [1][2][3][5].

Meanwhile, other developments in the global gaming industry include:

PAGCOR has mandated licensees, suppliers, and gaming operators to remove all out-of-home betting advertisements by August 15.
Crown Resorts is reportedly in talks with CTFE and FEC for potential control takeover of Queen’s Wharf operations, and with the company itself for discussions regarding Queen’s Wharf operations [6][7].
Reef Casino Trust unitholders, Accor and Casinos Austria, have approved Iris Capital’s AU$177M acquisition bid, with binding commitments to accept the offer within 21 days [8].
The UK Labour Party is facing internal division over demands for gambling reforms [9][10].
The Luxe, a new slot by Hacksaw, combines monochromatic luxury with a 20,000x max win potential [11].
Shady Lady’s Orphan Organ slot defies conventional slot design with its grim, unsettling alien horror theme [12].
EGBA members contributed €3.8B in EU social and economic initiatives in 2024 [13].
One "whale" at Galaxy Entertainment placed a HK$1 million bet [14][15].

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-01/macau-casino-revenue-surges-to-record-high-as-china-eases-restrictions [2] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/macau/macau-casino-gaming-revenue-hits-highest-monthly-level-since-pandemic-started-in-may-2025 [3] https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/news/macau-casino-revenue-hits-highest-since-pandemic-started-in-may-2025 [4] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/philippines/philippines-casino-regulators-crack-down-on-illegal-online-gambling-operations [5] https://www.macaubusiness.com/news/macau-government-to-promote-non-gaming-entertainment-to-attract-high-end-tourists/ [6] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/australia/crown-resorts-said-to-be-in-talks-with-ctfe-and-fec-for-potential-control-takeover-of-queens-wharf-operations [7] https://www.afr.com/companies/crown-resorts-in-talks-to-take-over-queens-wharf-operations-from-star-entertainment-20250524-p589qd [8] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/australia/reef-casino-trust-unitholders-approve-iris-capitals-au-177m-acquisition-bid [9] https://www.gmbusiness.co.uk/news/uk-labour-party-gambling-reforms-split-30760933 [10] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-57176541 [11] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/gaming/the-luxe-a-new-slot-by-hacksaw-blends-monochromatic-luxury-with-a-20000x-max-win-potential [12] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/gaming/shady-ladys-orphan-organ-slot-defies-conventional-slot-design-with-its-grim-unsettling-alien-horror-theme [13] https://www.europeangaming.eu/news/european-gaming-and-betting-association-members-contributed-3-8b-in-eu-social-and-economic-initiatives-in-2024 [14] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/macau/one-whale-at-galaxy-entertainment-placed-a-hk1-million-bet [15] https://www.ggrasia.com/news/macau/one-whale-at-galaxy-entertainment-placed-a-hk1-million-bet-2

The Macau Gaming Industry's recovery is driven not only by the optimistic GGR forecasts and growth trends, but also by dominant players like Galaxy Entertainment, who significantly contribute to the industry's revenue.
The global casino industry is undergoing various changes, with some notable developments including PAGCOR's mandate for the removal of betting advertisements, potential control takeovers in Queen’s Wharf operations, and acquisitions in Reef Casino Trust.
In the UK, the Labour Party is facing internal division over demands for gambling reforms, indicating a possible shift in regulations and policies.
Beyond Macau, casino operators are adapting to regulatory changes and broader economic strategies, such as promoting non-gaming entertainment to attract high-end tourists and enhance appeal beyond casinos.
The global casino industryshowcases unique offerings in gaming culture, with new slots like The Luxe and Shady Lady’s Orphan Organ, each defying conventional slot design and offering significant jackpot potential.
EGBA members are contributing significantly to EU social and economic initiatives, underscoring the industry's growing role in the wider economy and society.
Major casino personalities are making headlines for their big-wins, such as one whale at Galaxy Entertainment who placed a HK$1 million bet.
The casino-and-gambling industry is increasingly influenced by policy-and-legislation and politics, as governments balance the need for regulation with player protection, ensuring long-term sustainability while navigating responsible-gambling trends and general-news coverage.