HK Omicron ‘to delay Macau border reopening’

The Omicron outbreak in Hong Kong is likely to delay the border reopening with mainland China and Macau until the beginning of Q2, which will mean operators miss out on a boost during the Chinese New Year.

The prediction was made by scholar Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, to Macau Business.

He said the quarantine-free travel scheme would not be possible until at least 21 days free of Covid in Hong Kong.

The border reopening with Hong Kong has been seen as a key driver for boosting gross gambling revenue in Macau, as the city has traditionally accounted for more than 15 per cent of its turnover.

“While Hong Kong has been holding reopening talks with mainland China, this may now be delayed,” Bernstein Research wrote in a note. The reopening of the border with Macau is expected shortly after the lifting of restrictions with China.

Source: Asia Gaming Brief