Macau Casinos Will Close Once Typhoon Ragasa Nears Landfall
Posted on: September 22, 2025, 04:22h.
Last updated on: September 22, 2025, 04:23h.
- Typhoon Ragasa has its eyes set on Macau
- Macau casinos will close later today
Macau is bracing for yet another powerful tropical cyclone that could force much of the city to shelter in place.
Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th named storm of the 2025 typhoon season, is spiraling towards Hong Kong and Macau, China’s two Special Administrative Regions (SARs). The circular weather event is currently northwest of the Philippines, barreling towards the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau Greater Bay Region.
As of now, forecasters are predicting that Ragasa will travel just south of Hong Kong and Macau and make landfall between Yangjiang and Zhanjiang. The Macau SAR Government says it’s continuing to monitor the storm. Macau has issued a Typhoon No. 1 Signal, a warning issued for the initial approach of a tropical cyclone that carries the possibility of strong winds. Macau officials say they expect to upgrade Ragasa to a Signal No. 3 later today (Sept. 23), which means the impending storm has wind gusts exceeding 60 MPH.
Macau is 12 hours ahead of the US Eastern Time Zone.
Casinos To Shutter
Macau’s weather team says there is a “high” chance that a Typhoon Signal 8 will be issued sometime this afternoon or evening.
Such a warning entails hurricane-force winds and is only two signal levels shy of No. 10, the highest on the Typhoon Signal System. The Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau says there is a “relatively high” probability that Ragasa will morph into a No. 10 event.
Once the No. 8 alarm sounds, Macau’s many casinos are to close their doors.
In response to Super Typhoon Ragasa, casinos will close upon any issuance of Typhoon Signal No. 8 to ensure the safety of tourism-sector personnel, operations staff, other employees, and visitors. The Government will provide advance notice of such closures,” said Macau Economy and Finance Secretary Tai Kin Ip.
The city’s gaming regulator said all gaming licenses are required to adhere to the shutdown order “to ensure the orderly departure of staff and patrons.” Casinos must close at least two hours before the No. 8 Signal goes into effect, as timed by the SAR government.
The government says it will make every effort to ensure the stability of water, electricity, telecommunication, and natural gas supplies throughout the storm.
“Storm surges are highly likely to cause flooding in some low-lying areas. The government has established contingency mechanisms to monitor closely potential flooding of electrical facilities, and, if necessary, implement power disconnection measures to suspend the electricity supply. Residents in affected areas will be notified in advance to give them time to prepare,” the statement explained.
Potential Damage
The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau is warning that Ragasa is likely to bring heavy rains and thunderstorms, with a storm surge possible surrounding the enclave’s exterior and low-lying areas.
In the next few hours, residents and visitors are encouraged to fully charge all of their electronics and communication devices, stock up on non-perishable food and drinks, and have a first-aid kit and all needed medications in a handy, convenient spot.
The last major typhoon to hit Macau was Hato in August 2017. The No. 10 storm caused 10 fatalities. The casino hub has been relatively fortunate in being missed by similar storms in more recent years.
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