Macau’s casino operators are ramping up promotional efforts, with Wynn Macau Ltd offering premium mass players free tickets to Blackpink’s upcoming Hong Kong concert. Citigroup notes that such campaigns are part of a broader strategy to boost visitation and gaming activity, as reported by several local media outlets.
Concerts fuel momentum
Citigroup’s latest monthly Macau table game survey underscores the impact of entertainment events on gaming behaviour. With a packed concert calendar across Macau and Hong Kong—including performances by Blackpink, Raymond Lam, and Dylan Wang—premium mass rooms are seeing stronger betting volumes.
According to Citi analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau, while no single event can be credited for the surge, Macau’s blend of gaming and non-gaming offerings continues to resonate with affluent mainland Chinese consumers.
New gaming facilities open
Despite ongoing construction ahead of the Chinese New Year, Wynn Macau continues to leverage Blackpink as a core attraction. Meanwhile, Sands Macau has unveiled The Pearl Room, featuring 28 baccarat tables, alongside a new mass gaming area with 12 tables converted from a former VIP room.
Baccarat is the core table game in the city for both VIP and premium mass segments. The Pearl Room’s recent renovations illustrate the continued investment in this format. According to several local media reports, VIP baccarat gross gaming revenue (GGR) increased 20 percent in Q4 2025 with market share climbing to 30.7 percent.
Whale activity surges
Citi reported a 72.3 percent year-on-year increase in January’s table survey, identifying 28 “whales”—players wagering at least HKD100,000 ($12,825) per hand. Collectively, they bet HKD8.1 million ($1.04 million), up from 24 whales who wagered HKD4.7 million ($603,000) in January 2025. For “Player of the Month,” Citi pointed out one gambler who wagered HK$1 million ($128,274) at Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room. Other honourable mentions in the survey include an HK$850,000 ($109,033) whale at Melco’s City of Dreams and an HK$640,000 ($82,095) whale at Wynn Palace’s Chairman’s Club.
Premium mass market versus VIP gaming
While the total number of premium mass players fell 11 percent year-on-year to 564, average wagers per play jumped 41 percent to HK$28,424 ($3,646). Galaxy Entertainment regained leadership in the premium mass segment with a 25 percent share, despite a slight dip from the prior year.
The premium mass market and VIP gaming segments differ significantly in how they engage with their customers and their delivery services.
For the premium mass market, it focuses on providing high-quality products and services at competitive prices, appealing to a broad base of consumers. The goal of this segment is accessibility without compromising on quality, ensuring that a wide range of players can enjoy elevated gaming experiences. Strategically, the premium mass market continues to expand its offerings to complement VIP gaming.
Meanwhile, VIP gaming caters to high rollers with highly personalised services and exclusive privileges. Experiences include a private salon, designed to deliver luxury, exclusivity, and tailored attention that reinforces loyalty among elite clientele. This approach has evolved towards a premium direct model, resulting in the growing importance of mass market gaming as a driver of overall industry growth.
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