RSS Feed

Tech Support

The Nevada Game Management Board recently reported June 2014 game revenue for Clark County, including the Las Vegas Strip . The results showed that Bakara's winnings (less prize money) increased 155% year-on-year to about $134.2 million.

"We've now seen a strong baccarat game for the third consecutive month," says Union Gaming analyst Robert Shore's note.

"We think there is a correlation between the strength of recent Las Vegas high-end play and the weakness of Macau VIP play. Recent comments and channel checks show property in Las Vegas Strip growing Chinese visitors. This coincides with our argument that politics, not the economy, is the main driver of VIP softness in Macau," Mr. Shore added.

In early June, Japanese securities firm Nomura warned that the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament would pour cold water on demand for VIP gambling in Macau.

VIP sales fell 20% year-over-year in June, according to analysts. But if the weakness in the high roller sector continues into July (the competition ends on July 13), analysts will look at other factors.

Credit Suisse Group AG said in a note published in Hong Kong on July 21 that gross Macau game revenue for July was tracking a 3%- 5% on-year decline, judging by the average daily run rate for the first 20 days of the month.

In the three months leading up to June 30 in Macau, VIP's contribution to game totals dropped to 60%, according to data from Macau's Game Inspection and Coordination Bureau. The fall coincided with a widespread crackdown on corruption in mainland China. The actual crackdown began in the fall of 2012, but seems to have been strengthened recently. Mainland Chinese media say it includes greater scrutiny of spending by senior officials and senior managers at state-owned companies.

According to data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Administration, the total number of Chinese tourists visiting the U.S. increased 23 percent to 1.81 million in 2013.

"Drops are up 57.4% from 12.4% hold (which is 150 basis points below LTM [last 12 months average], but up 470 bps from the previous year," Union Gaming said in a June figure note from the Las Vegas Strip

He also added. "Looking at the recent average monthly volume, a holding swing of 100 bps could win or lose about $10 million in either direction. It's now the third straight month of strong bakara volume growth (+19.7% in April, +26.4% in May and +57.4% in June."

The numbers are impressive, I think it will increase even more in the future