CasinoBeats delves into the statistics behind the most interesting stories in the gambling industry every week. This week, the roundup includes Macau’s post-pandemic statistics and Safer Gambling Week’s success. Also included is an update of GambleAware’s annual donations.
29%
Macau had a record-breaking May as the gross gaming revenues reached their highest levels since before the pandemic.
InsideAsianGaming reported that the total gross gaming revenue was MOP 20.2bn ($2.52bn), which is a 29% increase over last year’s same-period figure.
In April the GGR was up nine percent, indicating that the area is on the right track. This growth has been fueled by the removal of restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
This is also a sign that Macau’s gaming sector continues to surpass expectations in terms of engagement and revenue. In March it enjoyed an astounding 53,1 per cent increase compared with the same time last year.
The total MOP revenue for March was $19.5bn, or $2.42bn. This is a result of the increasing number of tourists in the area, as well as a rise in footfall.
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Director of Macau Tourism Office told Bloomberg China that 33 million tourists would visit the area this year.
15%
The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation in Spain has announced that gross gambling revenues increased by more than 15 percent year over year during the first quarter of the 2024.
The casino revenue fell compared with the prior quarter, but was up by over 17% when comparing to Q1 figures for 2023.
The Spanish authorities declared that the GGR for Q1 was EUR350.69m. This is an increase of 11.23 percent when compared with Q4 2023, which had EUR315.29m. It also represents a YoY growth of 15.14 percent.
The quarter’s deposits totaled EUR1,09bn. This represents a growth of 5.61 percent quarter-over quarter and 15.85 percent year-over-year. Withdrawals were EUR739.96m. This is up by 0.72 percent QoQ, and 13.9% compared to last year’s same-period.
The number of new accounts reached 446,586, an increase of 15.21 percent QoQ as well as a jump by 33.64 percent YoY. Monthly averages of active accounts were 1,327 575, up 4.57 % QoQ, and up 14.58 % YoY. The average monthly new accounts of 148 862, a 15.21 % increase QoQ, and up 33.64 % YoY.
Casino operations accounted for 47.84 percent (EUR167.76m) of the EUR350.69m GGR. This was followed by gambling at 42.85 percent (EUR150.28m), then poker at 8.11 percentage (EUR28.45m), and bingo at 1.19 percentage (EUR4.19m). Contests had a small share (EUR2,000).
In Q1, there were 78 operators licensed in Spain – 50 casinos, 41 betting companies, nine poker rooms, four bingo halls, and two contests.
The GGR for the Casino is EUR167.76m, a decrease of only 2.05 percent QoQ. However, it represents a growth of 17.02% YoY. Slots declined by 7.51 percent QoQ, but increased by 14.98% YoY. Live roulette increased by 6.37 percent QoQ, and by 22.19 percent compared to the same time last year.
A$67m
The Federal Court of Australia has ordered SkyCity Adelaide pay A$67m in compensation to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, for violating the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006
SkyCity was also ordered to cover the costs of an Australian Government agency in the amount of $3m.
AUSTRAC commenced civil penalty proceedings in December 2022 after analysing the historical violations of the AML/CTF Act between December 7, 2016, and December 14, 2022.
The agency launched a campaign to ensure compliance in September of this year.
SkyCity, AUSTRAC and the Federal Court filed a joint filing last month. The operator admitted that they had operated in violation of two sections under the AML/CTF Act.
AUSTRAC said that SkyCity had admitted to its violations, which “made the company vulnerable to criminal exploit and exposed Australia’s financial system and community to risk of money laundering and terrorist financing”.
SkyCity was also accused of failing to establish an “appropriate structure” for the board of directors and management of their AML/CTF program.
AUSTRAC said that SkyCity had taken action to correct the problems identified but remediation is still ongoing.
18%
The Betting and Gaming Council reported that the number of deposits limits during Safer Gambling week increased by 18% compared to 2022. 54 % of the players who set deposit limits were doing so for the very first time.
Michael Dugher , Acting Chairman and CEO of BGC , described the campaign as “powerful advertising” to raise awareness among players about safer gambling methods.
The number of people who set a “reality check” has also increased by 300% for the second consecutive year, and the maximum bet limits have also increased by 30%.
The number of unique accounts that set deposit limits has increased by 12.5% compared to last year.
Safer Gambling Week in 2023 was promoted on social media X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. This is a 70% increase over the year before. Safer Gambling Week’s website received half a millon visits.
Dugher said: “These figures prove that Safer Gambling Week is a strong advert to increase the use of safer tools for gambling in regulated industries.
Millions of people now play with safer tools, such as deposit limits and timeouts. The regulated gambling industry is built on this pillar, and it is a stark contrast to the unregulated, unsafe and rapidly growing black market for online gambling, which does not provide safer gambling, pays no tax, and doesn’t support sports.
PS49.5m
GambleAware revealed that British betting operators made a significant contribution to its total donation of PS49.5m.
The CEO Zoe Osmond has reiterated that funding vital to gambling harm prevention programmes and treatment should not be interrupted while services await the introduction of the new legal levy.
The four largest gambling companies in Britain – Bet365 Flutter Entain William Hill and Entain — contributed 94 percent of the overall figure. They donated PS46.6 million to GambleAware.
The ‘big four operators’ have contributed PS43.5m in 2022/23. This represents a PS3.1m increase.
The donations, which the organization describes as being essential, will help the organisation to encourage responsible gambling, player protection, and education through public health campaigns and programmes. They also include harm prevention, treatment, and research services.
Osmond said: “While waiting for the new statutory levies to be implemented, the donations made through the voluntary funding scheme are essential to ensure GambleAware continues to provide the vital harm prevention and treatment programs we commission.”
5.7%
Eminence capitalbecame the third biggest investor in Entainand raised its stakes to 5.7%.
Eminence acquired around 7.1 millions shares valued at 710p.
Eminence’s interest in Entain has increased since the beginning of the year after Ricky Sandler, the boss of Eminence, was appointed a non executive director at Entain.
Entain has been criticized by the US Investment Firm, in particular for its acquisition strategy as well as the profitable takeover of STS Holdings.
Sandler, before being appointed executive director of Entain, had spoken out about the possibility that BetMGM could be sold.
This deal is part of a growing trend where equity investors and private investors are circling around the giant gambling company, looking at it as an opportunity to grow.
According to the contract between the parties, Sandler and Eminence can only purchase up to 8% of the shares.
