22/09/2009, Casino
China eased the restrictions on its citizens traveling from Guangdong to Macau.
The Guangdong residents are allowed to visit Macau once a month, up from two trips a year under previous rules.
Last year the Chinese authorities were concerned because the citizens were doing too much gambling and imposed new rules that limited their trips to the former Portuguese enclave.
It seems like there will be further improvements in October, a high travel season for the Chinese citizens because of the October 1 Golden Week holiday. The next month could be a record month thanks to the relaxing of the visa rules.
“September will be very good, but not a record. October will be the highest because of the eight-day Golden Week,” said one of the executives.
In 2008 Macau generated over $13.5 billion in gross gaming revenues, double than the Las Vegas Strip during the same period.
The relaxing of the China visa rules already boosted Hong Kong casino shares, reported the Channel News Asia.
The Reuters news agency reported that China was relaxing the visa restrictions for Macau ahead of its 60th Anniversary celebrations.