During Morgan Stanley's Financial Outlook of Asian Gaming Destinations presentation at G2E Asia, Praveen Choudhary, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Asia, said the financial services company expects Macau’s mass revenue numbers to expand above the heights of 2019 – marking a full recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by 2024.
During the event, Choudhary pointed to the effects of the pandemic on Macau and Asia as a whole, while confidently stating the Chinese gambling hub will thrive in the coming years: “The mass revenue and EBITDA will be bigger than in 2019, at least, that’s what we expect. We’re pegging that in 2024, but it could come in during the second half of 2023.”
So, while Macau still suffers through the mire of 2022's Covid restrictions, put in place by China, it is clear the financial institution expects the province to recover strongly in 2023/2024.
However, the VIP market – which has so often driven Macau’s numbers, isn’t expected to recover as rapidly when compared to other regions. Although Chaudhary said this could be a good thing, saying: “Having a higher slot business and lower VIP business could be positive for Macau.“