Macao to Shutter Satellite Casinos Under New Rules
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Casino operators SJM Holdings Ltd., Melco International Development Ltd., and Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. announced plans to close a total of 11 satellite casinos by the end of 2025, a transition impacting an estimated 5,600 local workers. The Macao government has mandated that these operators ensure the proper handling and full absorption of employees currently assigned to these venues.
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- SJM Holdings, Melco International, and Galaxy Entertainment plan to close 11 satellite casinos by the end of 2025.
- This transition impacts around 5,600 local workers, who the Macao government mandates must be fully absorbed by the operators.
- The closures are due to Macao's revised 2022 gambling law, phasing out satellite casinos.
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Who’s Who
- SJM Holdings Ltd.
- SJM Holdings Ltd. is one of the casino operators in Macao that plans to close satellite casinos. They intend to acquire two satellite properties to convert them into directly-operated venues and will cease gambling operations at seven others by December 31. All gambling tables and slot machines from these nine satellites will be relocated to SJM-owned casinos. The company will reassign its seconded employees to other SJM casinos within the group.
- Melco International Development Ltd.
- Melco International Development Ltd. is a casino operator in Macao. It plans to close one satellite casino and three Mocha arcades (automated gambling venues) by the end of 2025. Melco will apply to operate three other Mocha Slot Machine Arcades under a new management company model. The company will redeploy gaming equipment and absorb affected employees into its other Macao properties.
- Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.
- Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. is a casino operator in Macao. It has closed satellite casinos (L'Arc and President) and plans to close another by the end of the year. This is due to Macao's revised gambling law, which phases out satellite casinos. Galaxy Entertainment must absorb its seconded employees from these closures.
- Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd.
- Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd. ceased its satellite gambling operations by the end of 2022. This closure was part of a broader trend anticipated by Macao's revised gambling law, which phased out satellite casinos due to changes in their profit-sharing model.
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What Happened When
- 2022：
- Macao’s revised gambling law was enacted, establishing a three-year transition period for phasing out satellite casinos.
- June 2022：
- Galaxy Entertainment closed its L’Arc and President satellite casinos.
- By the end of 2022：
- Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd. ceased its satellite gambling operations.
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