TLDR
- Macau collected MOP58.34 billion (US$7.22 billion) in gaming taxes from January to July 2026, up 9.3% from the same period last year.
- Gaming taxes made up about 86% of the government’s current revenue during the seven month period.
- July gaming tax collection dropped 17.5% from June, falling to MOP7.15 billion.
- Casino gross gaming revenue rose 9.4% in July after falling 18.1% in June.
- The government has reached 63.1% of its full year gaming tax target of MOP92.53 billion.
Macau’s government collected about US$7.2 billion in gaming taxes between January and July 2026. The figure comes from the city’s Financial Services Bureau.
The total, MOP58.34 billion, marks a 9.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Gaming tax remains the top source of income for the government.
Gaming Taxes Drive Government Income
Gaming taxes accounted for roughly 86% of Macau’s current revenue during the seven months to July 31. Total current revenue reached MOP67.85 billion in that time.
This shows how much the government depends on the casino industry. Small shifts in gaming activity can change monthly revenue figures by large amounts.
Under Macau’s ten year gaming concession system, which started on January 1, 2023, casinos pay an effective tax rate of 40% on gross gaming revenue. This rate has stayed the same since the system began.
July Collection Falls While Casino Revenue Rises
Gaming tax collection dropped in July compared to June. The government raised MOP7.15 billion in gaming taxes during the month, a decline of 17.5%.
This came despite a rise in casino gross gaming revenue during the same month. Casino gross gaming revenue climbed 9.4% in July, reaching MOP20.26 billion.
The increase followed a rough June for casinos. Gross gaming revenue had fallen 18.1% that month, landing at MOP18.52 billion.
There is usually a delay between when casinos record gross gaming revenue and when the government records the related tax payment. Because of this, the tax figures and the gross gaming revenue figures for the same month cannot be compared directly.
This timing gap is a normal part of how Macau tracks its gaming income. It means a strong or weak month for casinos may not show up in tax data until later.
The pattern seen in June and July fits with this usual delay. July’s tax drop followed June’s weaker casino performance, while July’s stronger casino performance may show up in tax data later.
Analysts and officials often note this lag when reviewing monthly changes. It remains a key factor for understanding swings in the reported numbers.
For 2026, the government expects to collect close to MOP92.53 billion in gaming taxes. The MOP58.34 billion gathered through July represents 63.1% of that full year target.
This leaves the government with over a third of its annual goal still to collect. The remaining amount will need to come during the final five months of the year.
The Financial Services Bureau will continue releasing monthly figures as the year goes on. These reports will show whether Macau stays on pace to meet its full year gaming tax target by December 31, 2026.
