Two decades after Macau returned to Chinese rule, a shift that catalyzed its emergence as the world’s biggest gambling hub, casinos are facing serious obstacles to their future growth.
Macau casinos are poised for the first decline in annual gaming revenue since 2016, and next year may not be much better as mainland China’s economy slows and rising Asian hot spots such as Vietnam lure high rollers. Macau, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its reversion from Portuguese to Chinese administration next Friday, is facing its biggest challenges since Beijing’s crackdown on graft five years ago.
The special administrative region, which relies on casino operators for the bulk of its revenue, will find it difficult to return to the double-digit growth pace of the past.
