As Macau’s satellite casino model moves toward its final stages, several long-standing venues are nearing their last days of operation. Casino Fortuna, a profitable property situated beside Hotel Lisboa on the Macau Peninsula, is among the next to exit the market. An internal notice dated 20 November confirmed that the venue will cease operations on 10 December. The same document stated that the company would end labor contracts and compensate staff for what it described as “dismissal without reasonable cause,” according to Kou Seng, the operator of the hotel group. A separate notice from Fortuna’s promoter, Kou Seng Holdings, reiterated that it would “formally terminate the employment contracts with all employees on the same day” of the closure, with final salary and compensation to be paid “on or before December 26, 2025.”
Macau’s Satellite Network Contracts Further
Casino Fortuna operates under a gaming license held by SJM, and its shutdown comes as several other SJM-linked satellite venues move toward their own closure dates. Industry sources indicated that Kam Pek Casino is preparing to shut its doors on 30 November. Landmark Casino has not issued a final schedule, though the same source noted that it intends to remain open “until the final moment.”
Casino Casa Real, also part of the satellite system, officially ended operations at 23:59 on 21 November. Ponte 16 is next in line to close on 28 November after SJM chose not to pursue a previously contemplated acquisition that would have transformed the casino into a self-operated property.
These decisions have generated uncertainty surrounding Success Universe Group’s expansion plans for Ponte 16, as well as the future of the Inner Harbor revitalization initiative that both the group and SJM had planned to advance jointly. According to Asia Gaming Brief, the revitalization blueprint includes the construction or refurbishment of a floating casino facility, with Success Universe earlier estimating that the next development stage would require more than HK$100 million (US$12.8 million).
While most satellite venues are heading toward closure, L’Arc Hotel — located near Galaxy Entertainment’s StarWorld in the NAPE district — remains the exception. As previously reported, SJM agreed to acquire Arc of Triumph Development Co Ltd, the company behind L’Arc Hotel, for HKD1.75 billion (US$224 million). Once the process is complete, the hotel’s casino — Casino Le Royal Arc, also known as Casino L’Arc Macau — will be absorbed into SJM Resorts’ core operations and become the only satellite casino to continue under this new arrangement.
According to updated figures from the government, only five satellite casinos currently remain active: Landmark, Fortuna, Kam Pek Paradise, L’Arc, and Ponte 16 — though the latter two are undergoing ownership or operational transitions. After Fortuna’s shutdown on 10 December, only a small number will still be functioning, marking the effective end of the satellite system that once supported numerous third-party casino operations across the city.
Government Confirms Smooth Redeployment of Satellite Staff
Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, provided updated information on the labor impacts of the ongoing closures. He reported that around 1,600 employees from six already-closed satellite casinos have been reassigned to positions within their respective concessionaires. The casinos that have closed so far include SJM’s Grandview, Legend Palace, Casino Casa Real, and Emperor Palace, as well as Galaxy’s Waldo and Melco’s Grand Dragon.
During a Policy Address debate session, Tai stated, “The 1,600 employees assigned by concessionaires to the six currently closed satellite casinos have smoothly returned to their respective concessionaires.” He added that another four casinos scheduled to close — one wrapping up operations at the end of November and three more in December — involve approximately 3,200 additional workers.
“Relevant government departments have established dedicated teams and hotlines to assist satellite casino employees with their transition [to concessionaires],” he noted, explaining that the authorities had received 29 consultation requests, none of which required further intervention. Tai emphasized that “moving forward, the government will actively engage with the operators of satellite casinos and their hired staff to ensure the transition arrangements proceed smoothly and systematically, with the employees transitioning to the concessionaires.”
