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Gambling Nights: Macau Shines Post-COVID, Hits Record Revenue of $2.6 Billion
It's full steam ahead for Macau's casino scene! Recently, the city posted its best monthly figure since the pandemic first hit, raking in a staggering MOP 202 billion (around USD 25 billion) [1]. This impressive achievement marks a strong and resilient sector that shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.
May was a particularly prosperous month for Macau's gambling sector, with a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of MOP 21.19 billion (USD 2.62 billion) [2]. This figure represented a 5% increase year-over-year and was the highest monthly GGR since the initial pandemic lockdowns [4][5]. Factors contributing to this success include robust VIP activity, newly opened hotels, popular events like China's Labour Day Golden Week, and fortuitous calendar days [2][4][5].
With a year-to-date GGR of approximately USD 12.1 billion, Macau is on track for a prosperous year, edging up 1.7% from the same period in 2024 [5]. Major players in the industry like Sands, Galaxy, MGM, Wynn, Melco, and SJM are reaping the benefits of the resurgence [5].
As the year progresses, Macau's gaming industry is undergoing some changes. By the end of 2025, the city's 11 satellite casinos will shutter operations, with some being acquired and transformed by SJM into self-promoted casinos (such as L'Arc Macau and Casino Ponte 16). The remaining casinos will close, indicating a consolidation and possible upscale shift in Macau's casino scene [3].
Struggling Chances: Atlantic City Casinos Face Challenges
When it comes to Atlantic City's casino scene, recent news tells a different story. Late Spring 2025 saw casinos in the area continuing to struggle [6]. While the overall iGaming market in New Jersey is flourishing, brick-and-mortar casinos have been fighting an uphill battle [6].
However, it's important to note that Atlantic City's casinos still manage to turn a profit, albeit less than in 2023 [7]. The specific state of the industry in Atlantic City as of mid-2025 remains unclear from our current data sources.
Fun Fact
Did you know that Macau's gambling industry is so vast that it outperforms the entire Las Vegas Strip in terms of annual gaming revenue? [5]
Sources
- Macau Gaming Revenue Likely to Hit Record $25 Billion in June - Bloomberg
- Macau Casinos Experience Best Month Since COVID, Despite Slowing Gaming Revenue Towards End - Reuters
- Macau to Lose Two-Thirds of Its Satellite Casinos by Year's End - CNBC
- Macau Casinos Post Robust May Gaming Revenue Growth - GGRAsia
- Macau Casinos Take in Record $12 Billion in First Five Months of 2025 - Asia Times
- Atlantic City Casinos Continue to Struggle, Despite Success of NJ iGaming - Gambling.com
- Atlantic City Casinos' Bottom Line Drops Despite State's Highly Lucrative Gaming Market - Casino.org
Online casino revenue in Macau skyrocketed, surpassing finance figures with $2.6 billion in May 2025, marking the highest monthly gross gaming revenue since the pandemic began. Amidst consolidation changes, Macau's traditional casinos continue to thrive, while Atlantic City casinos grapple with challenges, despite New Jersey's successful iGaming market.
