The double-digit growth of Macau casinos’ gaming revenue is bringing a sense of nostalgia to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd chief executive officer Lawrence Ho, bringing him back to the good old days of 2013.

Macau that year enjoyed a robust and vibrant gambling business, raking in US$45 billion in gambling revenue to stay ahead of its rival gaming destination.

Wealthy mainland Chinese dazzled by fortress-sized resorts such as Sands China Ltd’s Venetian Macao and Galaxy Entertainment Group made it possible for Macau to earn seven times more than Las Vegas.

But the magic of 2013 diminished after the China’s economy cooled down and the Chinese government ordered a crackdown on corrupt government officials. From then on, Macau posted more than 20 consecutive disappointing gaming revenue.