Tough luck as Macao gamblers lie low

World Cup and drive against corruption keep bettors away

Macao's casino revenue fell for the first time in five years last month as the soccer World Cup diverted some bettors in the world's largest gambling hub.

Total gross gaming revenue dropped 3.7 percent to 27 billion patacas ($3.4 billion) last month, the first decline since June 2009, when it fell 17 percent, according to Macao's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. This compared with the median estimate of a 4 percent decline from nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Tuesday. Revenue should rebound in July to 30 billion patacas, 2 percent higher than a year earlier, Ng wrote.