MGM Resorts International's stock is soaring 5% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, buoyed by unexpectedly strong gambling revenue figures from Macau. The surge comes as the casino industry receives a boost from the latest data out of the world's largest gambling hub.

Macau reported that its June gambling revenue rose by 19% compared to the same period last year, reaching 21.1 billion patacas ($2.61 billion). This increase has surpassed market expectations, with JPMorgan analyst Daniel Politzer noting that many investors were anticipating a year-over-year growth of only 12-14%. The news has lifted several U.S.-based casino operators with exposure to Macau, including MGM Resorts.

While MGM Resorts was initially reported to be up 2.6% in early trading, the stock's performance has evidently strengthened as the market digested the implications of Macau's robust recovery. This positive trend stands in contrast to the broader casino and gaming sector's year-to-date performance, with the S&P 500 Casinos & Gaming index down 7.77% as of the last close. Investors appear to be betting on a continued rebound in Macau's gambling market, which could significantly benefit MGM Resorts' operations in the region.