MACAO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Gaming revenue of Macao in 2018 is likely to grow at a steady pace throughout the year, the special administrative region (SAR)'s Government Information Bureau quoted the SAR financial chief as saying here on Saturday.

The SAR Secretary for Economy and Finance Leong Vai Tac told reporters on Friday at a public event, that the revenue in gaming sector during 2018 was likely to show steady growth from 2017, given there had been a forecast of relatively steady growth in Macao's visitor source markets and no significant adverse changes in the global economy.

Leong also said that Macao's gaming sector had experienced fluctuation in revenue during its years of development, and it was not an easy task to project the economic performance of the gaming sector.

The government would step up efforts to enhance the overall competitiveness of the gaming sector in order to cope with challenges arising regionally and internationally, he added.

In other comments, Leong said the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau had received an application for MGM Cotai, a newly-constructed casino resort, regarding new-to-market live-dealer gaming tables. The SAR government would announce the result of the process in due course.