Gambling revenues in Macau casinos surged 56.1% in October from a year earlier, cross the $1 billion mark for the first time on a monthly basis, according to reports.

Casinos in the former Portuguese territory, which reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1999, took in 9.22 billion patacas ($1.15 billion) in October, eclipsing the former monthly revenue record set in May by 23%, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday, citing government figures.

The number of tourist arrivals in October totaled 2.43 million, up 22% from a year earlier, the Macau Statistics and Census Service said.

Visitors from China rose 28.9% from a year earlier and accounted for 56.3% of total visitors during the month, the agency said.

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