Macau’s final satellite casino will permanently shut its doors on 30 December, bringing an end to a chapter in the city’s gaming history. Casino Landmark, located at the New Orient Landmark Hotel, is scheduled to cease operations at 11:59pm next Tuesday.
The closure marks the conclusion of a long-standing business model in the world’s largest casino market. Satellite casinos have been part of Macau’s gaming landscape since the early 2000s, following the government’s decision to end Stanley Ho’s monopoly and open the market to international operators.
These satellite casinos were run by third-party operators under the licences of Macau’s casino concessionaires. However, when the original 20-year gaming concessions expired in 2022, the government revised its gaming laws. Among the changes was a requirement giving satellite casinos three years to transition away from profit-sharing arrangements toward a model under which they would be directly owned and managed by licence holders.
As part of this shift, SJM chose to shut down seven of its nine satellite casinos, including Casino Landmark, while planning to acquire and operate the remaining two under the new management structure.
Satellite employees shift to other properties
Among Macau’s six casino concessionaires, only Galaxy, Melco, and SJM operated satellite casinos. All three have committed to transferring satellite employees to their larger casino properties across the city, while the Labour Affairs Bureau said it would “ensure that the rights and interests of employees are fully protected” during the transition.
In a separate statement, SJM advised Casino Landmark patrons with outstanding chips, deposits, or cash rebates to redeem them at other SJM Resorts properties in Macau from 31 December onward.
Analysts split on impact of closures
When concessionaires announced in June that nine of the 11 satellite casinos would close, analyst Ben Lee described the move as “the end of an era.” Speaking to Macao News, Lee likened satellite casinos to neighbourhood pubs that cater mainly to local residents. He warned that their closure could reduce foot traffic in surrounding areas, potentially hurting nearby small businesses.
Offering a broader perspective, gaming law specialist António Lobo Vilela told Macau Business that the overall industry impact would likely be limited. He said that as employees and gaming equipment are transferred to other casino venues, the closures should not materially affect Macau’s total gaming revenue. “I do not believe the shutdowns will have a significant impact on overall gross gaming revenue,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a December interview with GGB Magazine, Professor Anthony Wong from the University of Macau’s Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management voiced support for the government’s long-term goal of boosting non-gaming attractions and diversifying the economy. However, he cautioned against measures that weaken the gaming sector.
“The government is currently suppressing gaming while attempting to diversify,” Wong said. He argued that diversification initiatives should be tested first before policies that reduce gaming activity are implemented, including the closure of satellite casinos.
