Melco Resorts ceased operations at its only satellite casino under its concession on 22 September 2025, Macau Business reported1. The closure was announced by the company on Friday 19 September, alongside the shutdown of its Mocha Kuong Fat slot club, which ended operations at 11:59 p.m. on 24 September2.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said the closure procedures were carried out in an orderly manner. Grand Dragon's shutdown was completed on the morning of Tuesday 23 September, before Typhoon Ragasa reached Macau, and Mocha Kuong Fat's closure was completed on Thursday 25 September3.
"廣發角子機場於9月24日晚上11時59分正式結束營運後，博監局進行相關停運程序"
Melco said Grand Dragon's 176 employees and Mocha Kuong Fat's 36 employees were all its own staff, and that local workers would be reassigned to other Melco casinos and gaming areas according to operational needs2. Chips from Grand Dragon could be exchanged at the Altira Macau counter from the following Tuesday, and slot machine vouchers remained usable at the still-operating Mocha Inner Harbour, Mocha Golden Dragon and Mocha New Lisboa2. Slot machines were to be reallocated to Altira Macau, City of Dreams and Studio City3.
Melco also said it would end operations at Mocha Dragon and Mocha Royal, with dates to be announced in due course2. Macau's three-year transition period for satellite casinos expires at the end of December 20252.
The closures are part of a broader contraction. Casino Grandview ceased operations on 31 July1. As of 30 June 2025, SJM Resorts operated nine satellite casinos, including:
- Casa Real1
- Emperor Palace1
- Fortuna1
- Kam Pek Paradise1
- Landmark1
- Legend Palace1
- L'Arc Macau1
- Grandview1
- Ponte 161
SJM said Casino Emperor Palace, at the Grand Emperor hotel in downtown Macau, would close at 11:59 p.m. on 30 October, and Galaxy Entertainment Group said Waldo Casino would close at 11:59 p.m. on 31 October1. SJM reported satellite casino revenue of HK$5.6 billion (US$720 million) in the first half of 2025, up 6.8 percent year-on-year1.
What it means for players
For anyone gambling in Macau, the practical effect is fewer satellite venues and a shift of tables and machines into the concessionaires' larger properties. Players holding chips or deposits from a closed venue need to redeem them at a designated surviving property rather than the original site. Melco directed Grand Dragon chip holders to Altira Macau from 23 September, and slot vouchers to Mocha Inner Harbour, Mocha Golden Dragon and Mocha New Lisboa2. SJM said all customer entitlements, including unredeemed chips, deposits or rebates, remain valid and can be processed at other SJM casinos from 31 October1. Galaxy said Waldo chip holders can redeem from 1 November at designated counters in Galaxy Macau Casino or StarWorld Casino1.
What happens next
Macau's satellite casino transition period ends in December 20252. Melco has not announced dates for the closure of Mocha Dragon and Mocha Royal2. SJM intends to acquire the premises of L'Arc and Ponte 16 and operate them directly after the end of the year1. Emperor Palace closes on 30 October and Waldo on 31 October1.
Sources3 sources
- Satellite casinos Emperor Palace, Waldo to cease operations this week | Macau Business, macaubusiness.com
- 信報即時新聞 - 香港財經 - 新濠駿龍娛樂場及摩卡廣發下周停運 - 信報網站 hkej.com, hkej.com
- 摩卡廣發關閉工作完成 - 亞博匯, zh.asgam.com
