According to information obtained from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the gross gaming income (GGR) collected from Texas Hold’em poker in the regulated Macau market throughout the third quarter of this year came to the MOP177 million, which is approximately almost US$22.0 million, further representing an increase of 17.2% from MOP151 million in the previous quarter.
Gradual return of Texas Hold’em poker:
As for the first 3 quarters of 2023, the gross gaming income from Texas Hold’em poker was MOP418 million, which is only 0.32% of the total gross gaming income of Macau casinos which was MOP128.95 billion for the identical period. However, for the period ending on September 30, it reached 93.7% of the entire of 2019, when the total amount was MOP446 million, which is a contemporary-era record, in compliance with the accessible figures from the gaming bureau.
As for the aforementioned GGR collected from Texas Hold’em poker, it has gone through a gradual comeback in 2023 when it comes to Macau. Speaking on the matter, managing director of consultancy 2NT8 Ltd and previous senior executive in the local gaming market, Alidad Tash, proposed that the reason for the gradual return was “post-pandemic gaming crowd is younger and more familiar with poker.”
Two companies as main contributors to Texas Hold’em poker GGR in Macau:
He added according to GGRAsia: “Both MGM [China Holdings Ltd’s] properties as well as Grand Lisboa Palace have offered [Texas Hold’em] poker tables, and they have been received positively.” Additionally, mentioning the distribution of gaming tables through Macau authorities, Tash also pointed out: “MGM’s additional 200 tables have made it possible for them to explore the poker market, used both to generate revenue and potential cross-play [into other gaming options], and non-gaming spend.”
Relatedly, MGM China has been licensed to manage a total of 1,700 gaming machines and 750 gaming tables, according to its newest license that began in January, the December filling to the Hong Kong bourse states. In June, the company debuted a poker zone at its MGM Macau facility, and one more at its MGM Cotai resort.
Since GGRAsia’s review of the site in early October, Texas Hold’em poker zones have been accessible and operational in the mass gaming areas of many of Macau’s biggest casino facilities. These objects were:
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- the Venetian Macao located in Cotai promoted by Sands China Ltd
- Grand Lisboa Palace located in Cotai and promoted by SJM Holdings Ltd
- Wynn Macau promoted by Wynn Macau Ltd in the center of the peninsula
- MGM Macau and MGM Cotai promoted by MGM China
