Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau casino stocks rise, GGR rebounding

Tuesday 10th of January 2023

Good morning. Macau is forging its way towards the Chinese New Year holiday, with high hopes after visitation topped its highest levels since June on the day it dropped its entry requirements. Casino stocks rebounded on the news, with GGR levels during the first week giving a heady indication of the potential during the holiday. Analysts at Fitch are hoping FY23 GGR can reach 50 percent of 2019 levels, removing their rating watch for legacy operator SJM.

What you need to know

Macau's reopening prompted a rise in casino stocks, as gross gaming revenues rebound in January, ahead of the CNY holiday.
Visitation to Macau reached its highest level since June, with nearly 40k daily visitors, leading hopes for fully-booked hotels during CNY.
Analysts at Fitch removed the negative outlook rating for SJM, saying the company can deleverage as its flagship ramps up in 2023.

On the radar

Mohegan to get $80 million investment in INSPIRE resort in Incheon.
VICI completes acquisition of stake in MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay.
Nepal mandates ISPs restrict sites used for online betting/crypto.
MGM China announces one-month bonus to 97 percent of staff on CNY.

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Macau casino stocks rebound after entry requirements dropped

Macau's casino stocks saw a strong rebound on the first day after Macau's entry requirements were dropped and a flood of visitors poured into the SAR. Gross gaming revenues in the week up until the opening also showed strong results, leading to revised estimates of the potential for the Chinese New Year holiday. Promotional campaigns are expected to drive hotel occupancy to near capacity as long as the trend continues.