Briefs | Nomura: July GGR disappointing

Japanese financial services company, Nomura Group, has estimated that the average daily Macau gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the last week amounted to MOP550 million; an improvement over the MOP525 million average daily GGR for the first 10 days of July. However, Nomura said that the amount is disappointing, as the summer travel season has already begun. The broker has predicted that the GGR for the whole month will be in the range of MOP16.1 billion to MOP17.5 billion, down by 6 – 13.5 percent year-on-year. The company adds that it is skeptical of expectations the Wynn Palace will open on August 22.

Sa Sa notes 5.7pct turnover decline

Sa Sa International Holdings, a cosmetics and personal care company based out of Hong Kong, said that the group’s retail and wholesale turnover dropped 5.7 percent year-on-year to HKD1.717 billion for the first quarter, dating from April 1 to June 30. In Macau and Hong Kong markets, the company’s turnover declined 5.4 percent to HKD1.384 billion, while same store sales decreased by 4.8 percent. Though still in decline, retail sales in Macau and Hong Kong noted an improvement over the loss observed in the last quarter of the last financial year. The number of transactions increased by 0.6 percent, while the average sales per transaction decreased by 5.7 percent to about HKD315. The group’s retail and wholesale turnover in other markets, including online sales, recorded a fall of around seven percent during the first quarter of this year.

Residents gambling habits surveyed

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) has invited the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming from the University of Macau to conduct a survey targeting Macau residents, to understand the participation of local residents in gaming activities, according to a report by Macao Daily News.  The survey starts today and will continue until August 19. All interviews will be conducted via telephone, targeting Macau residents aged 18 or above.  Questions will address the interviewees’ participation in gaming activities, as well as their opinions toward different gaming activities. All data collected will be used as a reference to develop gaming disorder prevention services.