Macau’s casino revenue in the third quarter amounted to US$3.2 billion, down 10.03% compared with the same period of last year, a decline for the second consecutive quarter since 2005, according to data released by Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau last week.

Revenue rose 27.76% in the Jul.-Sep. period, but that was a significantly slower growth than the 54.6% surge in the first six months of the year.

Industry analyst attributed the revenue drop mainly to Beijing’s visa restriction, which has curbed mainland visitors to visit the city, CNKL reported.

Earlier this month, Beijing has further tightened its restrictions on mainland visitors entering Macau, which only allow mainland tourists to visit Macau every three months, compared with one trip every two weeks before June.
 
In addition, from Sep. 1, mainlanders traveling to or working in Hong Kong have been required to apply for a separate permit to visit Macau.

Casino revenue took up 60% of Macau’s GDP in the past year and the industry accounts for 80% of government revenue.