Studio City Casino launched its VIP rolling chip operations in November 2016 with 33 VIP rolling chip tables and in June 2017 the number of VIP rolling chip tables subsequently increased to 45. VIP rolling chip revenue increased to US$631.4 million in 2018 from US$600.8 million in 2017 due to an increase in VIP rolling chip volume, partially offset by a decrease in VIP rolling chip win rate. VIP rolling chip volume increased to US$21.2 billion in 2018 from US$19.0 billion in 2017. VIP rolling chip win rate decreased to 2.97% in 2018 from 3.16% in 2017.
In 2018 and 2017, total gaming tax and costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted from gross gaming revenues were US$1,243.9 million and US$1,142.5 million, respectively, which included (i) gaming tax imposed on the gross gaming revenue of US$617.7 million and US$560.9 million, respectively; (ii) complimentary services provided by us to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons of US$81.0 million and US$73.9 million, respectively; (iii) shared administrative services and shuttle bus transportation services provided by us to Studio City Casino of US$36.5 million and US$36.9 million, respectively and (iv) remaining costs of US$508.7 million and US$470.8 million, respectively, primarily representing gaming-related staff costs and other gaming-related costs, including costs related to VIP operations at Studio City Casino.
After the deduction by the Gaming Operator of gaming tax and the costs incurred in connection with its operation of Studio City Casino from gross gaming revenues, we recognized revenues from the provision of gaming related services of US$339.9 million and US$295.6 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Rooms.We generate room revenues from Studio City hotel consisting of Celebrity Tower andall-suite Star Tower. Our room revenues remained stable at US$88.3 million and US$88.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Studio City’s average daily rate, occupancy rate and REVPAR were US$138, 100% and US$138, respectively, in 2018, as compared to US$140, 99% and US$138, respectively, in 2017.
Food and beverage, entertainment, mall, retail and other. Our revenues generated from food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other decreased by US$8.5 million, or 7.9%, to US$99.1 million in 2018 from US$107.5 million in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to the closure of anon-gaming attraction for remodeling in late 2017 and closure of certain retail shops for the expansion of the northeast entrance of Studio City inmid-2017.
Services fee.Our services fee revenues, which primarily consist of certain shared administrative services and shuttle bus transportation services to Studio City Casino, were US$42.6 million and US$44.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Our total operating costs and expenses decreased by US$21.7 million, or 4.9%, to US$420.2 million in 2018 from US$441.9 million in 2017.
Provision of gaming related services. Provision of gaming related services expenses, which mainly represent (1) services fees for shared corporate services provided by certain Melco Affiliates pursuant to the Master Services Agreements and (2) management payroll expenses, are relatively fixed in nature and amounted to US$20.3 million and US$24.0 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Rooms. Room expenses, which represent the costs of operating the hotel facilities and respective payroll expenses, remained stable at US$21.9 million and US$21.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other. Expenses related to food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other, which primarily represent the costs of operating the respectivenon-gaming services at Studio City and respective payroll expenses, amounted to US$73.5 million and US$71.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses were US$135.8 million and US$134.9 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Such expenses primarily consist of payroll expenses, utilities, marketing and advertising costs, repairs and maintenance, legal and professional fees, and fees paid to certain Melco Affiliates for shared corporate services provided tonon-gaming departments pursuant to the Master Services Agreements. Expenses relating to services fee revenues are also included in the general and administrative expenses.
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