Published on: June 1, 2026, at 11:26h.
Updated on: June 1, 2026, at 11:26h.
- Macau’s casino earnings hit $2.8 billion in May
- 2026 marks a continued resurgence for Macau’s gaming sector post-pandemic
- Investors maintain a positive outlook on the six publicly listed casino firms
Shares of Macau’s six publicly listed casino operators saw gains today following the enclave’s impressive gross gaming revenue (GGR) report for May.
According to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau of Macau, the six casino establishments won a total of MOP22.61 billion (approximately US$2.8 billion) in the previous month. This figure represents a 6.7% increase compared to May 2025, marking the most profitable May since before the pandemic struck in 2019.
The holiday season in May benefitted from a strong five-day Labor Day celebration from May 1-5, attracting about 873,000 visitors for a 3% yearly increase. Additionally, Buddha’s Birthday on May 24 brought over 400,000 guests to the gaming hotspot.
Surge in Casino Stocks
As a result of May’s performance, the year-to-date GGR for Macau reached MOP108.37 billion (US$13.42 billion), representing an almost 11% rise, which fosters optimism among investors regarding this leading global gaming market.
By midday trading in the U.S., shares of the six publicly listed casino firms were all up. Las Vegas Sands, the largest operator in Macau, experienced a rise of over 4%.
Wynn Resorts noted a 5.5% increase, Melco Resorts gained 4%, Galaxy Entertainment rose 2%, and SJM Resorts saw a 1% uptick. Meanwhile, MGM Resorts surged more than 14% following billionaire Barry Diller’s $18 billion bid to acquire the Las Vegas-based gaming enterprise.
Factors Driving Growth
2026 is exceeding forecasts in Macau. Initially, there were concerns that the famous Chinese gaming hub might struggle to regain pre-COVID-19 conditions due to a decreased presence of high rollers, a circumstance enforced by Beijing.
Throughout the pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping mandated that Macau, as one of the only two Special Administrative Regions in China (alongside Hong Kong), reduce its dependency on gambling. The Chinese government viewed the annual outflow of billions through the Macau tax haven as a potential threat to national security.
To comply with Beijing’s directives, in 2022 the Macau SAR Government insisted on $16 billion in non-gambling investments from the six casinos in exchange for 10-year license renewals. This initiative aimed at diversifying Macau from a gaming-centric model, enhancing its appeal as a venue for corporate events and attracting families and leisure tourists.
The strategy appears to be yielding results. Through May, casino revenue stands at 86% of 2019’s figures, with visitor numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels. In April, a total of 3,441,396 border crossings were recorded, slightly up from 3,432,187 in April 2019.
Analysts attribute Macau’s strong 2026 performance to resilient consumer demand and improving tourism metrics, with the mass market driving the action on casino floors.
China’s overall economic growth is forecasted to be between 4.5% to 5% for the year, with technology sectors propelling this expansion.