Macau’s casino market is likely to more than double in size to generate revenue of about $100bn a year by 2020.

That’s the view of Wells Fargo senior gaming analyst Cameron McKnight. Mass market gaming is likely to lead the growth, with VIPs and junkets progressively accounting for a smaller proportion of the market than they do now.

However, acknowledging the current downturn, McKnight said: “Like all great growth stories, nothing occurs in a straight line and there are some issues that have to be worked through before growth resumes and that longer-term target is achieved.”

Gross gambling revenue has fallen in each of the past four months, dragged lower by a sharp decline in VIP revenues. China’s clampdown on corruption and on the illegal use of China UnionPay terminals, have halted growth.