Macau’s gaming revenue rose 15.5% year-on-year in September, exceeding analysts’ forecast as casinos gear up for one of China’s biggest holidays, which usually fuels travel to the gambling hub.

Gross gaming revenue reached 17.25 billion patacas for the month, according to data released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau on Tuesday. The result is compared to the median analyst estimate of a 14.2% increase and has returned to 78% of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019.

The reporting was still lower than in the previous month, as September — when children go back to school and there’s a chance of typhoons and heavy rains — is historically a weak season for Macau.

  - Bloomberg