Galaxy Macau To Open Special Gaming Zone for Foreign Customers

Summary:

• Foreigner-only gaming zone at Galaxy Macau opened on March 30
• Several special gaming zones are now operating at different casinos across Macau
• Macau’s gaming industry is recovering well, with GGR for March up more than 200% year-on-year

Galaxy Macau in Cotai now has a foreigner-only gaming zone. A casino employee confirmed that the zone, named “Noble International Club”, was created exclusively for customers holding a foreign passport. According to sources, the area has begun accepting international guests since March 30.

The special zone is located near the Diamond Lobby, and there are signs directing customers to the area.

Special Gambling Zones Now Operational at Multiple Casinos

While there has been no official confirmation yet from casino operators and Macau’s gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, it’s understood special gaming zones are now operational in multiple casino establishments across the region, run by different gaming concessionaires.

The first one was launched in February at the Venetian Macao casino resort, operated by Sands China Ltd. MGM China Holdings Ltd followed suit shortly after, opening two foreigner-only gambling zones respectively at MGM Cotai and MGM Macau.

Another casino resort located in the Cotai district, Studio City, majority-owned by Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, also already built a dedicated zone for international patrons. The special gaming area lies on the second floor of its Star Tower, near the Lai Ying Club. Melco opened a similar zone at the City of Dreams also in Cotai.

The operation of the special gambling zones has been confirmed by sources with knowledge of the matter and by individuals who conducted on-site checks.

The creation of the exclusive zones is aimed at determining the gaming revenue generated by customers outside mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It is among the requirements set out for casino operators under the new 10-year gaming concessions which started on January 1, 2023.

The Macau government is also implementing a new tax incentive system for casinos to encourage them to attract more foreign customers and reduce the industry’s reliance on Chinese patrons.

Macau’s Gaming Sector Recovering Well

Macau’s hospitality and gaming industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, but now they’re showing signs of recovery with the city recording 1.59 million visitor arrivals in February, around 44,500 of those (2.8%) were non-Chinese.

Casinos in Macau generated MOP12.74 billion (US$1.58 billion) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in March, a year-on-year increase of 246.9 percent – the best month for gaming in the city since the pandemic.

Gaming experts say the industry is recovering well but there are still challenges regarding transportation for high-value customers, and air transfers for foreign visitors.