In 2026, the Macau gaming industry started the year with a "lucky beginning," achieving a total gaming revenue (GGR) of $27.9 billion in January, not only a 24% increase year-over-year but also setting a record high since January 2019. This performance represents an 8.4% month-over-month increase from December 2025's $26.1 billion, highlighting a strong market recovery. With the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, both gaming and non-gaming consumption are expected to heat up further, laying a solid foundation for growth throughout the year. In 2025, Macau's GGR reached $309 billion, up 9.1% year-over-year, and the ongoing positive trend is promising. Information on the recovery of the Macau gaming industry and data interpretation can be found on the PASA official website.
Impressive Core Data: Year-over-Year and Month-over-Month Increases, Stable Annual Performance
Macau's gaming data for January showed multiple breakthroughs, full of recovery momentum:
January core results: GGR reached $27.9 billion, up 24% year-over-year, the highest value since January 2019, breaking multi-year records;
Continuous month-over-month growth: an increase of 8.4% from December 2025's $26.1 billion, showing that market demand has not faltered, continuing to release;
2025 year-end summary: GGR totaled $309 billion, up 9.1% year-over-year, a steady recovery pace setting a good foundation for the start of 2026.
Supportive Indicators: Tourism and Economic Fundamentals Provide Dual Support
The strong performance of the gaming industry is inseparable from the synergistic efforts of the tourism market and the overall economy:
Warming tourism data: In 2025, Macau hotels had an annual occupancy rate of 89.4%, with a total of 14.56 million visitors, directly driving consumer demand;
Stable economic foundation: Macau's GDP in 2025 reached $515 billion, with the fourth quarter accounting for $142.4 billion, providing a strong guarantee for the gaming industry;
Convenient measures add points: Macau Airport launched the "Hotel Luggage Delivery (Check’ N Fly)" service, simplifying the travel process for tourists, indirectly boosting tourism and gaming consumption.
Industry-Related Dynamics: Personnel Adjustments and Regional Planning Progress Simultaneously
Beyond the local recovery in Macau, key dynamics have emerged in the Asian gaming industry:
Personnel changes at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore: Lim Kok Thay has been promoted from acting CEO to chairman and director of Resorts World Sentosa, replacing the retired Tan Hee Teck, marking a new phase of management;
Nevis gaming layout: Prime Minister Mark Brantley stated that the country is advancing its online gaming framework with strict compliance at its core, as part of a long-term economic diversification strategy, aiming to become a top gaming jurisdiction;
Other industry hotspots: Dream City Sri Lanka's EBITDA reached $4.62 million in the fourth quarter of 2025; CreditSights maintains a constructive view on the outlook for Sands China up to 2026; UFC is set to return to Macau in May, with specific matchups yet to be announced.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gaming industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gaming channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
