Macau Casino Revenue Falls 8.4% Year-on-Year in July After World Cup Lull

Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) recovered from a soft June but fell short of the prior-year figure in July 2026, as the FIFA World Cup and a late-month typhoon disrupted betting patterns. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reported July GGR of MOP20.26 billion (approximately $2.51 billion), up 9.4% from June’s MOP18.52 billion but down 8.4% from July 2025.

The year-on-year decline marks the second consecutive month in which monthly revenue trailed 2025 levels, following a 3.2% drop in June. Through the first seven months of 2026, total Macau GGR reached MOP147.16 billion, still 4.4% higher than the same period in 2025.

World Cup distraction and recovery

Analysts attributed the June-to-July recovery partly to the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which ran from June 11 to July 19. The tournament diverted some visitor attention and betting activity away from Macau’s casinos during its group stage and knockout rounds.

Citigroup estimated daily GGR at MOP679 million during the week of July 13 to July 19, up 9% from the prior week as the number of remaining World Cup matches decreased. The bank’s analysts noted that the recovery accelerated as fewer high-stakes games remained on the schedule.

MGM Resorts International also reported a bounce-back in Macau gaming volumes during the final week of the tournament. Management told investors that volumes had returned close to first-quarter levels after the temporary June slowdown. The company did not provide a specific dollar figure for its Macau operations.

Key facts

Typhoon Noul adds late-month disruption

Weather added a further constraint near the end of July. Typhoon Noul affected flights, ferries and regional transport, including connections through Hong Kong and Guangdong province. Macau’s meteorological bureau raised only a No. 3 storm warning, meaning casinos and most public transport continued operating. However, the disruption likely reduced walk-in visitor numbers during the final days of the month, when some operators had hoped to capture post-World Cup demand.

The combination of the World Cup and the typhoon made July a difficult month for operators to match the strong comparative period in 2025, when no major sporting event or storm interrupted play.

What this means for video poker players

For video poker players and casino visitors, the July figures confirm that Macau’s gaming floor remains sensitive to large external events. The World Cup drew away some of the casual and mid-stakes traffic that normally fills electronic gaming positions, including video poker machines. The late-month typhoon disruption also meant fewer travelers from Hong Kong and mainland China, who are among the heaviest users of Macau’s electronic gaming offerings.

The year-on-year decline suggests that Macau has not yet fully recovered its pre-2025 momentum, even as year-to-date totals remain ahead of last year. For players planning trips, the August and September months typically see quieter floors, which can mean better access to machines and lower minimum bets at some properties. However, the impact of any further weather events or competing sporting schedules remains an open question.

Source: iGaming.org Casino News, “Macau Casino Revenue Falls 8 Percent To MOP20.26 Billion In July,” August 2, 2026. https://igaming.org/casino-news/macau-casino-revenue-falls-8-percent-to-mop20-26-billion-in-july/