Macau’s top gaming stocks lost a record US$18.4 billion in combined market value on Wednesday after officials said they would change casino regulations to tighten restrictions on operators, including appointing government representatives to “supervise” companies in the world’s biggest gaming hub.
The Bloomberg Intelligence index of the six big casino operators fell a record 23%. American operators saw the worst selloffs, with Sands China sinking as much as 33%, while Wynn Macau plunged 34%, both the steepest declines ever. Galaxy Entertainment Group slumped 20%, its sharpest drop in a decade.
The sector also led declines in China’s dollar bond market. A note due 2028 from Wynn Macau sunk 9 cents on the dollar to 91.4 cents, according to Bloomberg-compiled prices, set for its biggest-ever decline. Dollar bonds from SJM Holdings, MGM China Holdings and Melco Resorts and Entertainment dropped at least 3 cents.
