Macau casinos resumed operations early Thursday morning, September 25, after a forced shutdown of 33 hours due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone of the year. The temporary suspension, which began on Tuesday afternoon, marked the second-longest casino closure in the city’s history. The closure was mandated by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) after the typhoon prompted the issuance of the No. 8 storm signal.
Record-Breaking Typhoon Impacts Macau
Ragasa made history by setting several new records for tropical cyclones in Macau. According to the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Ragasa’s typhoon signal No. 10 lasted for 10.5 hours, making it the longest duration for this level of alert. This was the first time the government had issued two No. 10 signals in one year, a milestone since the bureau began tracking typhoons in 1968.
The typhoon’s intensity caused winds to reach levels of 12 and 14 on the Beaufort scale, with some gusts reaching sustained speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). Despite not directly hitting Macau, the cyclone created a prolonged weather disturbance with winds above level 8 for 15 hours. The city also experienced a red storm surge warning, which added to the concerns during the storm’s passage.
Ragasa’s effects were so severe that the government was forced to close casinos, as part of a larger plan to safeguard the public. The closure protocol, which required casinos to stop all gaming activities upon the issuance of the No. 8 signal, affected the gambling capital of Asia significantly.
The temporary suspension of operations has had a notable financial impact, with estimates suggesting that Macau’s gaming industry lost approximately MOP880 million (around USD 110 million) in gross gaming revenue (GGR). According to Macau Business, the closure, which spanned from 5:00 p.m. on September 23 to 2:00 a.m. on September 25, affected casino activity during a critical period.
According to CLSA analyst Jeffrey Kiang, the closure accounted for a 5% reduction in expected revenue for September, which typically experiences some volatility due to typhoon season. “The disruption caused by the shutdown is estimated at MOP880 million, or about 4.6% of the expected September GGR,” Kiang noted.
Despite the setback, analysts expect GGR to recover as the Golden Week approaches, traditionally a period of high demand for Macau casinos. Nonetheless, the typhoon-induced closure contributed to the already fragile casino performance this year.
Resumption of Operations and Minimal Damage
Casinos resumed operations at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, as announced in the official government gazette. The delay in the reopening came after several precautionary measures were implemented by the DICJ. Meanwhile, maritime services between Macau and Hong Kong, also disrupted by the typhoon, resumed on the same day, with ferry services restarting at 7:30 a.m.
In terms of physical damage, the typhoon left no significant marks on the city’s major casino resorts. Observations around the peninsula revealed some fallen trees and minor flooding in the Inner Harbour district. However, properties such as the Ponte 16 casino resort, located in the flood-prone area, reported no serious damages. The casino had upgraded its flood prevention systems after suffering severe flooding during Typhoon Hato in 2017.
Hoffman Ma Ho Man, deputy chairman of Success Universe Group, which owns the Ponte 16 complex, stated, “Thanks to our recent flood-prevention improvements, the typhoon did not cause any major damage to the property.”
Despite the challenges caused by Ragasa, the government has maintained its strict stance on ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors in the gaming industry. Acting Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding high standards for the integrity of casino operations in the region.
“The Crisafulli Government will continue to monitor the progress of casino operators and ensure that they meet all required standards,” Bleijie said. “This deferral of the closure does not prevent us from taking action if future remediation requirements are not met.”
