Gaming revenue in 2018 was likely to grow at a steady pace throughout the year, said today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac.

Revenue in Macao’s gaming sector during 2018 was likely to show steady growth from 2017, given there had been a forecast of relatively steady growth in Macao’s visitor source markets and there had been no significant adverse changes in the global economy, Mr Leong told reporters as he attended a public function this morning.

In any year, the city’s gaming revenues could easily be affected by a number of external factors, including the respective economies in Macao’s visitor source markets; the global economy; and competition from gaming industries in other areas.

The Secretary went on to say that Macao’s gaming sector had experienced fluctuation in revenue during its years of development; and as such it was not an easy task to project the economic performance of the gaming sector.

The Government would step up efforts to enhance the overall competitiveness of the city’s gaming sector in order to cope with challenges arising regionally and internationally, Mr Leong stated.

In other comments, Mr Leong said the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau had received an application for MGM Cotai, a newly-constructed casino resort, regarding new-to-market live-dealer gaming tables.[MG1]  The Bureau had submitted to his office a report of its analysis on the matter, with a view to further action. The Government would announce the result of the process in due course.