The wave of closures reshaping Macau’s casino market has now reached another milestone, as Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. confirmed the permanent shutdown of its Mocha Kuong Fat slot club. The venue, situated in the NAPE district of the Macau peninsula, ended operations at 11:59 p.m. on September 24, under the close supervision of the city’s gaming regulator.
The development comes just days after Melco shuttered its Grand Dragon Casino, a satellite property in Taipa. Both closures were part of a broader restructuring plan announced in June, when Melco stated it would cease operations at three Mocha slot clubs and its lone satellite casino by the end of 2025.
A Carefully Monitored Shutdown
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), Macau’s regulatory body, stressed that the Mocha Kuong Fat closure unfolded according to established protocols. In a statement cited by Asia Gaming Brief, the bureau explained it had “coordinated closely with multiple government departments to ensure legal compliance” and confirmed that the process was conducted in an “orderly manner.”
Officials also noted that they personally oversaw the removal of electronic gaming machines and completed all required formalities. A similar process was carried out earlier in the week when the Grand Dragon Casino closed its doors, with authorities emphasizing the same level of interdepartmental cooperation and oversight.
Relocation of Machines and Staff
With both Mocha Kuong Fat and Grand Dragon now closed, Melco has begun redistributing resources to its main properties. The slot machines formerly housed in the shuttered Mocha clubs are being transferred to City of Dreams and Studio City on the Cotai Strip, as well as Altira Macau in Taipa. The company confirmed that these relocations had been approved by the regulator.
In addition to reallocating gaming assets, Melco has reassured employees that their jobs are secure. “Staff will be reassigned to other Melco casinos and gaming areas as operational needs dictate to ensure job stability and a smooth transition,” the company previously stated. The Macau Labour Affairs Bureau has been kept informed throughout the process, ensuring compliance with local labor protections.
Customers affected by the closures are also being accommodated. Holders of gaming chips from Grand Dragon Casino can exchange them at the Melco Club/Signature Club counter at Altira Macau, while patrons with Mocha Club vouchers can continue to redeem them at Mocha Inner Harbor, Mocha Golden Dragon, and Mocha Hotel Sintra — the three Mocha venues Melco intends to keep running beyond December 31.
Broader Market Shifts in Macau
The closures of Grand Dragon Casino and Mocha Kuong Fat reflect a larger trend within Macau’s gaming landscape. Satellite casinos, once common across the city, are increasingly being phased out or absorbed into larger resort operations. Analysts have largely welcomed this shift, arguing that operators can now relocate gaming tables to more profitable integrated resorts.
For slot clubs, however, the response has been quieter. While the shutdown of Mocha Kuong Fat drew little public reaction, it underscores the growing concentration of gaming activity in Macau’s biggest properties.
Melco has framed these changes as part of a strategic review aimed at consolidating its market position and ensuring long-term sustainability in a competitive environment. The company has already hinted at further closures, including Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel and Mocha Royal Hotel, though official dates have not yet been announced.
