Macau's largest casino operators are feeling the pressure from China's anti-graft campaign, with some already planning to move either move their business to Vietnam or the Philippines, or quit the gambling industry.

The gambling landscape in Macau has taken serious blows from Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown on corruption which was launched almost two years ago. Analysts say the revenues and growth could hit the lowest level this year, China.org reported.

Like Us on Facebook

The biggest gamblers, who usually do not mind letting go of US$129,000 (HK$1 million) in just a single bet, are now fewer. Junkets - those commissioned by casinos to lend gamblers money to settle debts - are now being more careful in extending credit terms.

A junket operator who refused to be named said he sees little positive development in the future of the VIP junket business in Macau. He said even low-profile Chinese officials who used to be regular clients are now avoiding the place because of the intense investigations.

"Beijing isn't directly controlling," the junket said, "but is putting subtle pressure on the authorities here..."

Chinese investigators talked to a big-time junket operator in Hong Kong this June to gain information about Chinese officials who come to Macau to gamble, two sources familiar with the situation said.

Out of the 220 junkets operating legally in Macau, 15 of them have already quit the big casinos this year, based on a report by the Daiwa Capital Markets.

The VIP junket business makes up almost two-thirds of the gaming income of Macau - around US$45 billion in 2013 - but analysts foresee this amount would drop to almost half, the report said.

The gambling industry typically contributes more than 80 percent of the tax revenues of the Special Administrative Region (SAR). However, the government of Macau is now urging these businesses to start diversifying, the report stated.

Xi's anti-graft drive is dragging on longer and deeper than they expected, according to an unnamed executive at top Macau junket Heng Sheng. The campaign is now shaking up what little trust and liquidity is left within the gambling circles of the SAR.

Tagsanti-graft campaign, Macau, casinos, casino shutdown, Anti-corruption, Pearl River Delta