According to analytics firm Citi, Macau’s casinos are lowering minimum bets to attract more mass-market customers. At the same time, premium-tier players are spending larger amounts per session on average.
Experts view this situation as a sign of market stabilisation. Analysts note the rapid expansion of current offerings by all major operators in the region. This segment-wide scaling is driving a recovery in traffic levels following the downturn observed during the 2026 World Cup.
VIP Players: Larger Bets in the Sector
Citi’s August study shows that total wagering volume in the premium niche reached HKD 14.3 million (approximately USD 1.83 million). This jump represents a 7% increase compared to the previous year.
At the same time, the number of active gamblers observed fell by 16% to 525 individuals. Despite the smaller customer base, the sector’s total revenue figure rose because the average stake size per punter climbed 27% to HKD 27,284.
Citi’s analysts interpret these results as a sign of sustained demand from the premium segment. Even as the number of niche gamblers declined, the remaining casino visitors continued to spend more.
Mass Market Strategy: Lower Entry Barriers
Operators are making gaming tables more accessible to a broader audience. In August, the average minimum baccarat bet in Macau stood at HKD 1,901, down 13% YoY.
Furthermore, the City of Dreams complex has introduced new gambling zones with starting limits ranging from only HKD 300 to HKD 1,000. This format is currently uncommon in the region.
Local operators aim to capture multiple customer segments at once to ensure sustainable profits. To achieve this goal, they are pursuing a dual strategy: lowering the entry threshold for the mass market while maintaining exclusive offerings for VIP clients.
Stable Demand from High-Stakes Players
Citi’s study identified 31 «whales,» punters with especially large bets. The average wager size within this group rose by 54% YoY, reaching HKD 243,548.
Notable single high-value stakes recorded during the analysis included:
- HKD 820,000 at the Wynn Palace Chairman’s Club;
- HKD 680,000 at Wynn Encore;
- HKD 650,000 at the City of Dreams complex’s Signature Club.
The Wynn brand led the premium segment, with its properties accounting for 29% of total betting volume, up from 18% recorded the previous year. At the Chairman’s Club, the average wager reached HKD 117,300. It is the highest figure among the 19 venues cited in the report.
Operators continue to expand offerings for affluent clients. For instance, MGM Cotai has opened a new VIP zone with slot machines near the Masters Club, and the Supreme Room is currently undergoing renovation.
City of Dreams is also upgrading its facilities. Major work is underway near Wynn Palace, and construction of the new The Enclave complex could further boost interest in this sector.
Market Rebalancing After the 2026 World Cup
The relatively lacklustre performance of Macau’s casinos in the first 2 months of this summer was attributed, in part, to the hype surrounding the international football tournament. The competition took place from June 11th to July 19th and, according to experts, temporarily affected consumer stakes and visitor numbers at the jurisdiction’s land-based casinos.
By August, the situation began to stabilise, primarily driven by premium clients who maintained high spending on both gaming and supplementary entertainment offerings. Analysts believe fears of a prolonged downturn proved exaggerated. The specialists keep their forecast at 6% growth in Macau’s GGR through the end of 2026.
Casino Market helps operators attract and retain various segments of the target audience. Our services include gambling advertising, loyalty programs, reactivation strategies, and more.
Also, feel free to contact us if you would like to start a turnkey gaming business. We offer solutions that help launch and expand projects in regulated markets more easily and effectively.
Have questions or want to order services?
Contact our consultants:
- e-mail: manager@casino-market.com
- feedback form.
Check the information used to contact us carefully. It is necessary for your safety.
Fraudsters can use contacts that look like ours to scam customers. Therefore, we ask you to enter only the addresses that are indicated on our official website.
Be careful! Our team is not responsible for the activities of persons using similar contact details.
