Macau’s Satellite Casinos Face Early Closures Before 2025 Deadline

Macau has begun phasing out its satellite casinos earlier than expected, with several properties shutting down ahead of the December 2025 deadline under new gambling regulations.

SJM Holdings confirmed the closure of Casino Grandview in Taipa on July 30, marking one of the first early exits in the restructuring of Macau’s satellite casinos. The move follows the 2022 gaming law, which requires all satellite operations to either be absorbed by licensed concessionaires or cease activity by December 31, 2025.

Under the new system, satellite casinos are no longer allowed to share gaming revenue with third-party operators and must instead operate under management fee agreements or be acquired outright. Melco Resorts & Entertainment has already announced its intention to close Grand Dragon Casino and several Mocha Clubs before the deadline, while other properties are also preparing to transition.

According to local reports, nine of Macau’s eleven satellite casinos are expected to close this year, leaving only Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau likely to continue operations under direct ownership. The closures are raising concerns among nearby businesses, with shop owners in Taipa warning of a sharp decline in visitor traffic and landlords reporting growing vacancies in commercial districts such as ZAPE and NAPE.

SJM has pledged to redeploy affected employees across its portfolio, while government agencies including the Economic and Technological Development Bureau and the Macau Tourism Office are working with hotels and retailers to mitigate the economic impact.

As the December 2025 deadline approaches, the early closures highlight the scale of the transition facing Macau’s gaming industry, which is undergoing one of its most significant structural changes in decades.