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Galaxy Macau captured an unusually large share of premium-mass betting observed during Citigroup’s July table survey, as activities linked to an international volleyball tournament helped the Cotai resort attract high-value customers despite disruption from Typhoon Noul.
Analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau conducted the monthly survey on Friday while the storm approached Macau and Hong Kong. Although foot traffic across the market appeared lighter, they said they were “more than surprised by the lively crowd we saw and the whales we ran into at Galaxy Macau”.
Galaxy Entertainment Group co-organized the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals Macao 2026 with the Macau government. The tournament took place at the Macau East Asian Games Dome from July 22 to 26.
“We attribute it to Galaxy’s co-organising ‘FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League – Finals Macao 2026’ with the Macau government on July 22 to 26.”
The event coincided with Galaxy Macau recording 43% of all premium-mass wagers observed during the survey. That represented the highest share recorded for the property in the monthly review and an increase from 35% in July 2025.
Volleyball Activities Draw High-Value Visitors
Galaxy arranged several activities around the tournament, including autograph sessions involving Team China and other participating national teams.
“Knowing the popularity of the sport in China, Galaxy strategically organised numerous events around the tournament (e.g., an autograph session with Team China and other national teams).
“We would not be surprised if some good tickets were reserved for its top [casino] players. This once again suggests that well-chosen right non-gaming offerings are a powerful tool to induce the affluent Chinese to visit Macau and spend money there.”
The survey results placed Galaxy Entertainment well ahead of other Macau operators in observed premium-mass activity. The analysts called the company the “runaway leader in premium mass”, with “an unprecedented 43 percent share versus July 2025’s 35 percent in total wager observed”.
Galaxy’s performance was also “highlighted by the fact that the top three whales we ran into this month were all seen at Galaxy Macau”.
Citigroup classifies a whale as a casino customer placing wagers of HKD100,000 or more.
According to GGRAsia, the largest player observed during the July review wagered HKD600,000, equivalent to approximately US$76,400, at Pavilion South.
“We saw our player of the month at Pavilion South of Galaxy Macau wagering HKD600,000.
“Honourable mentions go to the two whale players at Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room, wagering HKD440,000 and HKD300,000 respectively.”
Those two wagers were equivalent to approximately US$56,100 and US$38,200.
The combination of the tournament and related activities supported Galaxy Macau’s performance during a weekend when the approaching storm appeared to discourage some visitors from traveling to the city.
Premium-Mass Wagers Rise From June
Across the properties included in the survey, Citigroup observed HKD13 million, or approximately US$1.66 million, in premium-mass wagers.
The total increased 33% from the HKD9.8 million recorded during the bank’s June review. It remained 19% below the result from July 2025.
The analysts said the annual decline was “likely due to some players postponing their Macau trips, with Typhoon Noul approaching”.
Citigroup counted 581 premium-mass players during the July visit, representing a 15% decrease from the same month last year.
“This implies that average wager per player” in July this year “fell 5 percent year-on-year to a still respectable HKD22,367, versus HKD23,536 in July 2025,” said the bank.
The average wager of HKD22,367 equaled approximately US$2,850.
The survey identified 24 whales across the market. That number remained unchanged from June, while falling from 35 in July 2025.
Average betting activity among the highest-value customers improved from the previous month.
“It is interesting to note that the average wager-per-whale in July 2026 improved 9 percent month-on-month to HKD182,500, although this is still 13 percent lower versus July 2025.”
The average wager of HKD182,500 represented approximately US$23,200.
The survey also showed a lower entry point for mass-market baccarat players. The average minimum wager across Macau decreased 10% year-on-year to HKD1,898, or about US$242. The comparable figure in July 2025 was HKD2,110.
Other Macau Properties Record High-Value Play
Citigroup also observed several large wagers outside Galaxy Macau.
At MGM Macau’s Supreme Room, the analysts identified a South Korean customer betting HKD100,000.
“We ran into a [South] Korean whale player (wagering HKD100,000) at MGM Macau’s Supreme Room,” at MGM China Holdings Ltd’s downtown property.
MGM Macau was also hosting a members-only concert featuring Chinese rock singer Wang Feng during the survey period.
At City of Dreams, a player wagered HKD200,000 in a private salon at the Signature Club. The table carried a HKD30,000 minimum bet, the highest minimum observed during the visit.
“We saw a HKD200,000 premium mass player playing at a HKD30,000 min bet table – the highest minimum-bet [table] we saw on the day – at a private salon at City of Dreams’ Signature Club,” the analysts noted.
Citigroup also compared baccarat minimums at two Sands China casinos.
“The average baccarat minimum bet at the Londoner Casino, on our numbers, is HKD2,851. This represents a 58 percent premium versus Londoner Grand [casino], but this premium seems considerably lower than the first-half average.”