Gaming shares rally as Macau grants visa-free entry to Gulf nations
Macau gaming shares jumped on 17 June (Tuesday) after the Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced it would allow citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman to enter the region without a visa or pre‑entry permit from 16 July.
Sands China emerged as the day’s top blue-chip performer, soaring by 5.28 percent. MGM China gained 4.76 percent while Wynn Macau rose 1.57 percent. Somewhat subtle gains were recorded by Galaxy Entertainment Group and SJM Holdings at 1 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. On the other hand, Melco International Development fell by 1.22 percent.
According to local media reports, the decision mirrors the Chinese mainland’s unilateral visa‑free trial launched on 9 June. It means that every Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member now enjoys visa‑free access to both jurisdictions. The United Arab Emirates has enjoyed visa-free access to Macau for several years, and adding the remaining five states brings the total number of exempt countries to 82. Eligible visitors holding ordinary passports may stay for up to 30 days, a period aligned with existing immigration regulations.
Tourism agency eyes Middle East market
Local media reported that visa facilitation supports the Macau Government Tourism Office’s strategy to diversify source markets beyond East Asia. The agency promoted the city at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai earlier this year and has flagged joint initiatives with Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai to create multi‑destination itineraries for Gulf travellers and other Muslim‑majority markets.
Closer travel ties are expected to encourage Gulf sovereign wealth funds and technology firms already active on the mainland to explore opportunities in Macau. Local media reported that city officials hope the measure will complement ongoing efforts by Hong Kong and mainland authorities to deepen capital market and innovation links with GCC partners.
GGR predictions and satellite 바카라s closure
Coming to SAR’s gaming landscape, the gambling revenue is expected to soar by as much as 14 percent this month, according to a note from Jefferies Equity Research analyst Anne Ling. The low end of the growth projection was 9 percent. This optimistic forecast comes at a time when the Macau government also raised its forecast. Now, Macau’s 바카라 sector is expected generate up to $2.5 billion in June, compared to the previous prediction of $2.3 billion.
Meanwhile, Citigroup has forecasted that Macau’s GGR will grow by 6 percent in the second half of 2025, resulting in a 4 percent year-on-year increase for the full year to reach about MOP235.7 billion ($29.04 billion). In a note, analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau noted that Macau’s gaming market is “reaching an inflection point for good” and that they “remain bullish” on the city’s gaming sector.
With the looming closure of satellite 바카라s by the end of 2025, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said that the impact of their closures on the city’s gross domestic product (GDP) would not be significant. This is because Macau’s concessionaires will shoulder their responsibility, according to the chief executive. As part of the revisions to Macau’s gaming laws enacted in 2022, gaming operators, including Melco Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment and SJM Holdings, have announced the closures of several satellite 바카라s by the end of 2025.
