From iGaming Business – Macau recorded an annual 20% rise in gambling revenues for the month of July to US$3.7bn thanks to a boost in stakes and numbers of mainland Chinese visitors to the gambling hub.

The amount was the third strongest figure for 2013 and was achieved thanks to a rise in middle-class gamblers visiting Macau who balanced out high-roller activity.

Analysts suggested a slowdown in China’s economic growth had kept away some wealthy customers, who often spend up to US$160,000 on a single bet according to local media, but Macau’s gambling venues had benefited from China’s large and expanding middle-class and its disposable income and are looking to diversify their entertainment packages to attract more of these visitors.

Current infrastructure projects also include an expansion of high-speed railway links to mainland cities, which should increase the number of middle-class visitors in the next few years.

The number of visitors to Macao rose 4.2% during the first half of the year, the number of mainland visitors, who account for two thirds of the total number, rose 20% from the month of June on the same period last year.