Nine Macau ‘Satellite’ Casinos to Close By End of Year

• Nine satellite casinos to cease operations by December 2025
• New gaming law ends sublicensing model in Macau
• Closure affects nearly 6,000 local and foreign workers

Nine of Macau’s satellite casinos are to shutter permanently by December 31, 2025, impacting around 6,000 jobs in the gambling hub.

The closures follow a three-year period of grace that began with the implementation of Macau’s new Gaming Law, which reformed its sublicensing regime and required satellite casinos to either close or be acquired by main license holders (concessionaires).

Of Macau’s 11 remaining satellite casinos, Casino Grandview, Casino Legend Palace, Casino Fortuna, Casino Landmark, Casino Emperor Palace, Casino Kam Pek Paradise, Casino Casa Real, Casino Grand Dragon, and Casino Waldo will close for good.

The other two, Casino Ponte 16 and Casino Le Royal Arc, will be acquired by SJM Holdings, which will enable them to continue operations.

Regime Change

Macau’s satellite casinos are sublicensees of Macau’s “big six” concessionaires: SJM Sands China, Melco Resorts, MGM China, Galaxy Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts — although a majority operate under the SJM license.

The satellites are smaller and more gaming-focused than the concessionaires’ sprawling resorts that come complete with non-gaming, family-oriented amenities, and they share profits with the licensees as part of the deal.

This arrangement was created as a workaround after 2002 when Macau liberalized its gaming industry but capped the number of licenses at six.

This is in line with Beijing’s vision for the enclave, which wants to diversify its economy so it’s not so reliant on gaming, creating a “world class tourism destination.” It’s a vision that’s at odds with the continued existence of satellite casinos.

‘Positive Impact’

In a press conference Monday, Macau’s Secretary for Administration and Justice, André Cheong, stressed that the closures were a “commercial decision” taken by the concessionaires.

He added there were “no perceived impacts on gross gaming revenue (GGR),” while there would be a “positive impact that comes from the enforcement of the regulations on the way this industry operates.”

Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin-ip said the 11 satellite casinos employed around 5,600 local and 400 overseas workers. He added that the government is setting up hotlines and service counters and will hold labor rights seminars to support those affected by the closures.