Storm killed 10
In the wake of Typhoon Hato in August 2017, the government of Macau has proposed that the city’s casinos be subject to closure in case of emergency or natural disaster.
Hato was the strongest storm to hit Macau in more than half a century. Though it killed 10 people and caused extensive damage, many of the city’s casinos and hotels remained operational. The Macao Government Tourism Office reported that nearly half of the 64 Macau hotels it assessed the day after the storm made landfall were without power, water or both.
The new government proposal would allow Macau’s chief executive to close casinos as necessary during an emergency, reported GGRAsia. Some casino worker groups have been lobbying to be excused from work when the weather bureau reports a typhoon has reached Level 8.
Macau gaming law requires casinos to be open daily, but allows operators to close in “exceptional” situations, with government approval.
