Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau junket numbers fall to 18

Good Morning. The end of an age. Macau’s junkets are quickly becoming a thing of the past, with the number of licensed operators falling to just 18, cementing the SAR’s shift to a mass market model. Meanwhile, South Korean gaming operators saw a strong end of the year, with Paradise and Jeju Dream Tower delivering healthy results. In Cambodia, Century Entertainment has ended its agreement for gaming tables. In travel news, China and Thailand have inked a visa-free arrangement, while the Philippines saw 5.4 million tourists in 2023. And in sunny Curacao, the new Digital Seal Policy has come into effect.

What you need to know

• Macau records a substantial decline in licensed junkets, shrinking from 36 to 18, showcasing a 92 percent contraction over the past decade.

On the radar

• South Korea’s Paradise Co. sees 112.8 percent uptick in 2023 GGR.
• Century Entertainment terminates the agreement for gaming tables in Cambodia.
• Jeju Dream Tower casino revenue down to $10.84 million in December.
• Thailand and China grant visa-free access from March.
• Philippines reports 5.4 million tourists in 2023.
• Curacao’s new Digital Seal Policy is now in force.
• AGTech Holdings secures lottery terminal bid for Shanghai and Guangdong.

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Number of licensed junkets falls by half, to 18

The number of licensed junkets in Macau has fallen drastically, halving from the previous 36 to just 18. The figure is a far cry from the maximum of 50 junkets the authorities in the SAR will allowin 2024. The drop comes as Macau aims to shift to a mass market model, and attract more foreign visitation, taking the focus away from mainland Chinese punters.

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