SJM Resorts has confirmed that Casino Casa Real, one of its satellite venues on the Macau peninsula, will cease operations at 11:59 PM on November 21, 2025. This closure is part of the company’s adjustment to Macau’s new regulatory framework for the gaming sector, which requires the cessation of satellite casino operations by the end of this year. The closure follows a series of other shutdowns, including those of Casino Legend Palace and Casino Emperor Palace, and marks a continued shift within the industry.
The closure of Casino Casa Real leaves just five satellite casinos under SJM Resorts’ license, significantly reducing the operator’s footprint in the region. With the regulatory changes implemented in January 2023, satellite operations will no longer be feasible beyond 2025, prompting the restructuring of the sector. As of the end of this year, these casinos must either be fully absorbed by concessionaires or close entirely.
Transition for Employees and Gaming Assets
As part of the transition, SJM Resorts has assured that the gaming tables and machines from Casino Casa Real will be redistributed to other SJM-operated properties. Customers holding unredeemed chips, deposits, or cash rebates at the casino will be able to claim them at other SJM venues starting November 22, 2025.
The impact on staff has also been addressed. In a statement, SJM Resorts confirmed that the 296 employees directly employed by the company will be reassigned to other casinos within the group. The company also pledged to offer priority hiring to local staff at Casino Casa Real who were not directly employed by SJM, ensuring that they are considered for vacancies across its properties. SJM further emphasized its commitment to adhering to all legal and operational procedures to facilitate a smooth transition for employees and the broader gaming community.
The regulatory changes introduced by the Macau government, in tandem with new gaming concessions that began in January 2023, have forced all satellite casinos to cease operations unless they are fully integrated into a concessionaire’s operations. This has led to the closure of several venues, including SJM’s Grandview, Legend Palace, and Emperor Palace. Other operators have also been affected, with Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Waldo Casino and Melco Resorts’ Grand Dragon and Mocha Kuong Fat slot parlor closing earlier in the year.
The policy change aims to streamline the gaming industry in Macau and foster a more sustainable and regulated market. As part of this transition, SJM Resorts has already announced plans to fully absorb two of its remaining satellite casinos, Casino Ponte 16 and Casino L’Arc Macau, into its core operations starting next year. These moves are part of a broader strategy by SJM to consolidate its operations and adjust to the new regulatory environment.
Future of Macau’s Satellite Casinos
According to GGRAsia, with the closure of Casino Casa Real, the number of satellite casinos in Macau continues to shrink, leaving only five in operation. Of these, only three are currently slated for closure: Casino Landmark, Casino Kam Pek Paradise, and Casino Fortuna. This shift will significantly reshape Macau’s gaming landscape, as the remaining satellite casinos undergo consolidation or closure under the new legal framework.
The closure of these satellite casinos marks a transformative moment in Macau’s gaming industry. While some operators have expressed concerns over the changes, including the “significant headwinds” outlined by SJM Resorts in its third-quarter results, others view the move as a necessary step toward improving the sector’s overall sustainability. The phased closure of satellite casinos is expected to streamline operations and increase the focus on core properties owned and operated by the main concessionaires.
Despite the challenges posed by these regulatory changes, SJM Resorts has reaffirmed its commitment to Macau’s gaming sector. The company remains dedicated to supporting the local economy and ensuring the smooth integration of its satellite casino assets into its core operations.
“We remain fully compliant with the amended 2022 Gaming Law and the related regulations,” said a spokesperson from SJM Resorts. “We are committed to supporting Macau’s gaming sector and community as we navigate these changes.”
