Macau casinos had combined September gaming revenue of $2.3 billion, which was a 7.4-percent increase in comparison to a year ago, in step with figures released by the local government.

Macau’s casino industry finally put an end to a 26-month-long slump in gaming revenue in August, when revenue rose 1.1 percent to $2.4 billion.

According to a report from Forbes, VIP play increased about five percent year-over-year in September.

September’s performance will also be largely credited to billionaire Las Vegas-based casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson opening his new $2.9 billion casino in Macau on Sept. 13.

The Parisian Macau’s opening followed the $4 billion Wynn Palace opening in August. A $3 billion casino from MGM will open next year. Two new casinos opened in Macau last year—one from Melco Crown Entertainment and one from Galaxy Entertainment Group.

Macau had a record $45.2 billion in gaming revenue in 2013, a figure which fell to roughly $29 billion last year. Macau’s gambling market continues to be nearly thrice as large as Nevada’s.

Macau’s casino industry contraction was because of the Chinese economy slowing and the Chinese government deciding to crack down on corruption inside the city’s junket industry, which lends money to high rollers. Because the casinos shift clear of the high roller, they're putting more of a focal point at the recreational gambler and tourist.

According to Bloomberg, a top Macau official said recently, “Macau’s gaming industry and the entire economy will continue to adjust, however the decline may shrink to 7.2 percent this year or even resume growth in 2017."

Roughly two thirds of the city’s economic activity is from casino gambling.

Read More... [Source: CardPlayer Poker News]