Melco Resorts & Entertainment is set to close two of its satellite casinos in Macau as part of the ongoing industry transition toward larger integrated resorts. The Macau satellite casino closures are scheduled with the Grand Dragon Casino shutting permanently just before midnight on Monday, September 22.
Following this, the Mocha Kuong Fat Slots Club will close 48 hours later on September 24. Both closures have received official approval from the Macao SAR Government, aligning with new regulatory requirements.
Key takeaways:
- Macau’s satellite casinos, including Grand Dragon and Mocha Kuong Fat, set to close in September 2025 as part of industry transition
- Melco reallocates gaming assets to main properties, ensuring employee job security
- Regulatory reforms are driving a shift toward larger integrated resorts and a consolidated gaming market in Macau
Closures Set, but Some Mocha Clubs Continue
The company announced that the Grand Dragon Casino and Mocha Kuong Fat Slots Club will cease operations next week, marking a significant milestone in Macau’s evolving gaming landscape and the broader shift away from satellite casino models.
Melco has indicated that plans for the closure of the Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel and Mocha Royal Hotel will be announced separately. The company is actively pursuing approval to continue operating certain Mocha Clubs beyond 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
In line with Macau’s new gaming laws introduced in 2022 — which mandate full ownership and operation by licensing companies — Melco will transfer gaming tables from the Grand Dragon Casino to its primary property, the City of Dreams Macau. In addition, electronic gaming machines from the Mocha Kuong Fat Slots Club will be relocated to other Melco properties, including Altira, City of Dreams, and Studio City.
Customer Support During Transition
Melco has committed to safeguarding jobs during this transition. Employees affected by the satellite casino closures will be reassigned within the company’s other Macau properties with no change to their roles or salaries, ensuring workforce stability amid regulatory changes.
Players holding chips and gaming slips at these satellite casinos are advised to redeem them at other Melco-operated venues. Starting September 23, chips from the Grand Dragon Casino can be redeemed at the Altira Casino.
Similarly, patrons of Mocha Clubs being phased out can redeem their gaming slips at existing Mocha venues such as Mocha Inner Harbor, Mocha Golden Dragon, and Mocha Sintra Hotel.
What’s Happening with Macau Satellite Casino Closures
The Macau satellite casino closures are driven by the 2022 amendments to Macau’s gaming laws, which require all satellite casinos to operate under full licenses rather than revenue-sharing arrangements. As a result, all 11 satellite casino operators in Macau, including properties managed by SJM Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment Group, are expected to cease operations by the end of 2025.
Melco’s chairman, Lawrence Ho, stated earlier this year that the effect of these regulatory changes on the company would be minimal, given that the Grand Dragon Casino was its only satellite property. However, these Macau satellite casino closures highlight Macau’s strategic shift toward larger integrated resorts, consolidating the gaming market and enhancing regulatory compliance.
