Gaming revenue in Macau edged up 1.5 per cent in July, beating some predictions of a downturn on a year-on-year basis. But the growth is still the slowest since the global financial crisis in 2008-09.
Gaming revenue last year in the former Portuguese colony totalled 268 billion patacas, making it the world's largest gambling hub. Macau is the only place in China where casinos are legal.
Mainlanders made up 60 per cent of the tourists to the city and have contributed the lion's share to the booming betting industry over the past couple of years.
But the bettors may become more careful with their money now, as the mainland economy slows. Industry analysts are watching to see whether Beijing will stimulate the economy in the second half of this year.
'There are a lot of factors in play that resulted in July's low growth,' said Grant Govertsen, lead analyst at Macau-based Union Gaming Research.
Among them, he said, were last year's relatively high base, one less weekend this July compared with last year, and unfavourable weather in the form of a serious typhoon.
July gambling revenue was 24.58 billion patacas compared with 24.21 billion patacas a year ago, and 23.3 billion patacas in June this year, according to the city's Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau.