Drastic drop in Macau Baccarat revenues

Baccarat, traditionally a major earner for Macau casinos due to its popularity with Chinese high rollers, has seen a serious year-on-year decline in Q2-2015, according to official statistics.

Gaming revenue from the game decreased 42.2 percent over the quarter to MOP31.57 billion, the largest drop in percentage terms since the fourth quarter of 2005.

VIP baccarat accounted for about 55.5 percent of gross gaming revenue in Q2-2015, having accounted for 58.2 percent in Q1-2015, according to the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

Local media reports indicate that the decline could become sharper if a proposed private rooms smoking ban comes into effect.