Macao Passes 20 Million Visitors, But Casino Floors Feel the Pressure of World Cup and Storm Threat

More than 20 million visitors have entered Macao this year, a milestone that would normally be welcomed by casino operators. This time, the numbers tell a more complicated story.

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Official figures show the gambling hub crossed the 20 million visitor mark on June 20, with daily arrivals averaging around 116,000 people since the start of the year. That represents growth of more than 10% compared with the same period in 2025. On May 2, arrivals peaked at roughly 248,000 in a single day.

The vast majority of visitors continue to come from mainland China, accounting for nearly three-quarters of total arrivals. Hong Kong and Taiwan remain important feeder markets, while overseas tourism is also showing signs of recovery. South Koreans made up about a fifth of international visitors, and authorities reported particularly strong growth from Thailand, where arrivals jumped by around 60%.

Yet the surge in foot traffic has not translated into stronger performance on casino floors.

Industry data from June points to a sharp slowdown in Macao’s premium mass-market segment. Analysts tracking the sector found key indicators down 38% from a year earlier, marking the weakest reading since the industry emerged from pandemic restrictions. Player turnover also dropped by 29%, while average premium wagers shrank noticeably.

The timing is hardly coincidental.

Analysts increasingly believe the ongoing FIFA World Cup is diverting gambling spending away from traditional casino tables. Sports betting interest has intensified across the region, pulling attention from games that typically generate significant revenue for Macao operators. Financial institutions monitoring the market have linked much of the recent weakness to the tournament, expecting activity to recover once the competition concludes in July.

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The latest figures also fit into a broader pattern that has been troubling some operators for months. The VIP segment, once the engine of Macao’s casino industry, continues to show signs of strain.

Earlier this year, MGM China reported overall revenue growth in the first quarter, but earnings from VIP customers slipped. SJM Holdings posted an even steeper decline in revenue during the same period, although Galaxy Entertainment’s VIP operations performed better than many competitors.

Another challenge is now approaching from the south.

Typhoon Mekkhala is moving through coastal areas of China and is expected to continue northward toward Japan. While visitor arrivals remained strong over the weekend, severe weather has historically disrupted transport links into Macao, creating immediate concerns for a market heavily dependent on mainland visitors.

At the same time, authorities in mainland China have been stepping up enforcement against illegal World Cup betting operations. Police have carried out a series of raids targeting underground bookmakers and online gambling networks as betting activity surrounding the tournament continues to grow.

For Macao’s casino industry, the contrast is striking. Visitor numbers are climbing, hotels and entertainment venues are attracting crowds, and international tourism is improving. But inside the casinos, the flow of gambling revenue is moving in the opposite direction.

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Source: casinobeats.com