Macau Casino Revenue Rises in September Despite Typhoon Hit

Macau’s casino industry posted gross gaming revenue (GGR) of MOP 18.29 billion (US$2.3 billion) in September, marking a 6% increase year-on-year, according to data released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).

The figure, however, came in below analysts’ expectations of a 9% rise, reflecting the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which forced a 33-hour suspension of gaming operations late in the month. The shutdown, the longest storm-related closure since casinos were first ordered to suspend operations in 2018 during Typhoon Mangkhut, dragged September revenue sharply lower on a sequential basis. Compared with August’s MOP 22.16 billion, September revenue slumped 17.5% month-on-month.

The Developments

Authorities raised the city’s highest Signal No.10 storm warning on 24 September, prompting a government-mandated closure of casinos. Gaming floors were allowed to reopen only at 2 a.m. on 25 September, after conditions eased and warning signals were lowered.

Despite the weather-related setback, cumulative GGR for the first nine months of 2025 reached MOP 181.34 billion, a 7.1% gain year-on-year. The growth has been underpinned by a strong summer recovery, with July and August delivering robust gains of 19% and 12.2% year-on-year, respectively, as tourism flows from mainland China surged.

“While September’s revenue missed forecasts, the underlying demand trend remains intact,” said one gaming sector analyst. “The strong summer rebound shows Macau is still benefiting from pent-up travel demand and a recovery in premium mass spending.” Market observers remain optimistic about the sector’s near-term trajectory. October is widely expected to deliver a sharp rebound, buoyed by the eight-day “super golden week” holiday, which combines the Mid-Autumn Festival and China’s National Day break. The holiday period is traditionally one of the busiest for Macau’s integrated resorts, with visitation and gaming volumes both expected to peak.

“The sequential decline in September should be viewed as an anomaly rather than a reversal,” analysts noted, pointing to solid forward bookings and promotional campaigns targeting mainland visitors.

Macau’s September casino revenue rose 6% year-on-year to MOP 18.29bn despite a 17.5% month-on-month drop caused by Typhoon Ragasa, while nine-month cumulative revenue grew 7.1%.

Balancing Growth with Volatility

The September figures highlight the inherent volatility in Macau’s gaming industry, where external shocks—from weather disruptions to regulatory shifts—can swing monthly performance. Still, the broader trajectory suggests that Macau is consolidating its position as a recovering leisure hub after years of pandemic disruption.

With momentum carrying into the final quarter and the high-profile October holiday period expected to provide a major boost, the market will be watching closely to see if Macau can sustain its pace and push full-year revenues closer to pre-pandemic benchmarks.