Prosecutors in Taiwan have filed charges against 10 people connected to a money laundering case that used casinos in Macau to move more than $1.03 billion in dirty money.
...
Macau records 14.9% rise in November gambling revenues
Macau, an autonomous region on the south coast of China where casino gaming is lawful, reported its gambling revenues for November, highlighting a rise of 14.9%, which equals $2.3 billion.
November gambling revenues for Macau highlight the country’s recovery after the pandemic crisis as they hit 80.4% of pre-pandemic levels. However, when compared to October 2024, November saw an 11.5% decline, which had these numbers mainly from the “Golden Week” holiday, drawing 3.1 million visitors.
New visa rules in Macau promote tourists’ visits to the country and help the industry grow. Earlier this year, in October, Bank of America doubled its 2024 GGR forecast to MOP227 billion ($28.1 billion) based on strong performance in Macau’s third quarter. For 2025, Bank of America estimated GGR at MOP230 billion ($28.5 billion), reflecting continued growth and potential impacts from stricter controls on illegal currency exchange activities. Although lower than the government’s forecast, these revised estimations show confidence in Macau’s continued recovery.
Gaming industry faces challenges in Macau
Despite good numbers, Macau still faces challenges as the economic slowdown in China, weak spending by visitors, tighter money exchange regulations, and Beijing’s efforts to diversify Macau’s economy away from casinos strictly affect the industry. Macau’s gaming industry continues to push toward a stronger comeback despite all the challenges.
Casino operations in Macau
Unlike other segments, casinos had mixed results in November. The Macau Casino Operators Index declined by 2.4%, while the broader Hang Seng Index declined by only 4.4%.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in Macau?
Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal.
What is the legal gambling age in Macau?
The legal gambling age in Macau is 21.
Data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) shows that Macau’s gaming revenue has beaten expectations and increased by 24% year-on-year in January 2026.
...
