Seven satellite casinos will stop operating by mid-year

Casinos are likely to close due to the tightening of visa requirements, a lack of cash flow and the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Macau.- Gaming industry sources told the Chinese-language newspaper Macau Daily that seven satellite casinos plan to suspend operations by mid-year. The casinos are said to have taken the decision due to the negative impact of repeated Covid-19 outbreaks, tighter visa requirements in the city and lack of cash flow.

There are currently 18 satellite casinos in Macau operating under licences attached to one of the six casino concessionaires but run by third parties in individually owned premises. Some 14 of those satellite casinos are operating under the licence of SJM Holdings Ltd, and the other four are tied to Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) and Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd.

Under Macau’s proposed new regulatory regime satellite casinos would still be allowed to operate in the local market, but they will be given a three-year grace period to tie ownership of their sites to one of the city’s six franchises. The start of the grace period would coincide with the start date of the city’s new gaming concessions, which will be awarded following a new public tender.

Macau gaming labour groups express concerns about satellite casinos

A group of gaming workers affiliated with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions has sent a letter to the Legislative Assembly committee that’ analysing the final draft of Macau’s gaming law amendment bill to expressing concerns about the future of the satellite casinos.

A final reading of the gaming law amendment bill is expected by June.