Macau, 22 September 2025 — Melco Resorts & Entertainment officially closed its Grand Dragon Casino today, marking the permanent cessation of operations at its last satellite casino. The closure aligns with the broader mandate affecting Macau's 11 satellite casinos, all slated to cease by year-end under new regulatory frameworks. In tandem, Mocha Kuong Fat Slots Club will shutter in 48 hours, on 24 September, with gaming equipment and operations reallocated across Melco’s integrated resorts including City of Dreams, Altira, and Studio City.
Macau’s satellite casinos face year-end shutdown as operators align with new law
Lawrence Ho, chairman of Melco Resorts, expressed a decisive stance on the transition: "We acknowledge the stringent industry evolution dictated by Macau's regulatory authorities and have embraced this transformation to reinforce our strategic portfolio. This closure is not an end but a recalibration, ensuring continuity and compliance with Macao SAR Government mandates."
The closures follow legislative amendments enacted in 2022 which require satellite casinos to operate solely under full gaming licenses, dissolving previous revenue-sharing models. The Macao SAR Government’s regulatory directive intends to streamline casino operations toward large-scale integrated resorts to enhance oversight and compliance under the Gaming Law of Macau, specifically articles governing licensing and operational scopes of casino entities.
Economically, this consolidation affects Macau’s gaming landscape by concentrating assets and staff within fewer venues, repositioning Melco’s resources to flagship properties. The reallocation of gaming tables and electronic machines anticipates preserving gaming supply capacity while optimizing operational efficiency. Employee transitions within Melco’s portfolio mitigate layoffs, sustaining workforce stability amidst sector restructuring.
