Casino operators with properties in Macau saw their shares rise last month following the announcement that a freeze has been introduced on new gambling licences in the enclave.
Shares in Las Vegas Sands Corporation went up 9.2 per cent, MGM Mirage’s rose by 3.4 per cent and those of Wynn Resorts experienced a 7.4 per cent increase.
A statement from Goldman Sachs to its clients said that the government’s decision to halt the issue of new licences "could limit future competition." However, the company also stated that it did not wish to read too much into the situation.
Another analyst noted that the announcement appears to prevent Harrah’s Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company by revenue, from securing a licence, at least in the near future.
