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According to a recent report from Citigroup, Macau’s premium mass gaming segment, particularly the spending behavior of high rollers, also known as “whales,” is showing notable acceleration in 2024. The investment bank’s latest monthly survey revealed that both the number of whales and the amount they wagered throughout the year have already exceeded the totals observed in the entire financial year of 2023.
In the first nine months of 2024, Citigroup observed 228 whales—defined as players wagering HKD100,000 (US$12,842) or more—who collectively placed wagers totaling HKD43.3 million. This figure surpasses the HKD39.7 million wagered by 224 whales throughout 2023, highlighting the growing momentum among Macau’s wealthiest gamblers. As Citigroup analyst George Choi explained, cited by GGRAsia, “Year-to-date, we saw 228 whales wagering a total of HKD43.3 million. These stats exceed that of financial-year 2023, at HKD39.7 million from 224 whales.”
The report also noted a significant increase in the average wager per session. In 2024, the average bet by these high-rolling players reached HKD655,000—an impressive 43% increase from the HKD457,000 recorded in 2023. Furthermore, this spending trend has been accelerating in recent months, with the average bet over the last five months rising to HKD728,000.
Choi commented: “Their spending trend seems to be accelerating, with the average over the past five months being higher at HKD728,000.” Despite concerns about the economic situation in mainland China, which has shown signs of weaker consumer confidence, Macau’s affluent players continue to frequent its casinos, showing little hesitation in their spending.
Increase in Premium Mass Players
In addition to the surge in whale activity, the Citigroup report also highlighted an increase in the number of premium mass players. The September 2024 survey recorded a total of 613 premium mass players, marking a 42% rise from the same period in the previous year. However, the report also noted a slight 5% decline in the average wager per player compared to last year. Despite this, the overall quality of premium mass players remains strong, as the 36% year-on-year increase in total wagers suggests a healthy and robust market. “Despite the much higher player count, wager/player this month fell slightly by 5 percent year-on-year to HKD19,389,” Choi pointed out.
Sands China Ltd was the standout performer in Citigroup’s September survey, securing the highest share of total wagers at 26%, a notable increase from the 22% observed in August 2024. Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd also made significant gains, achieving a 17% share in total wagers. This marked a sharp increase from the 13.5% average share seen during the first eight months of 2024. The success of Melco Resorts is attributed in part to its rebranding of premium mass products, which appears to be paying off. “Based on the quality of the whales we saw at Studio City this month, we believe the rebranding program is already yielding some early success,” Choi remarked.
Macau’s Gaming Sector Shows Resilience
The September 2024 survey further documented that the total premium mass wager amounted to HKD11.9 million, representing a 36% increase compared to the HKD8.8 million observed during the same month last year. The rise in premium mass players and the increasing wagers by whales underscore Macau’s resilience as a major global gaming hub, even amidst broader economic uncertainties.
Moreover, the September survey counted 21 whales actively betting in Macau’s casinos, an increase from the 17 whales observed a year earlier. In particular, Galaxy’s StarWorld Horizon room saw significant action, with one whale placing a bet of HKD640,000. Choi also noted the presence of five whales betting between HKD100,000 and HKD250,000 at Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room, including a notable Korean player who has returned for the second consecutive month.
