Emperor Palace and Waldo satellite casinos set to shut down operations this week

Emperor Palace and Waldo Casino will cease operations at the end of this month following decisions by their operators, SJM Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), in coordination with the city’s gaming authorities. SJM Resorts said on Monday that Casino Emperor Palace, located at Grand Emperor hotel in downtown Macau, will close at 11:59 p.m. on October 30, with all gaming tables and slot machines to be redeployed to its other properties.

As of 30 June, 2025, SJM operated nine satellite casinos, including Casa Real, Emperor Palace, Fortuna, Kam Pek Paradise, Landmark, Legend Palace, L’Arc Macau, Grandview and Ponte 16.

SJM previously said it intends to acquire the premises of two of these casinos – L’Arc and Ponte 16 – and directly operate them after the end of the year.

Casino Grandview already ceased operations on 31 July.

According to the gaming operator’s interim report for the first half of 2025, its satellite casino revenue had improved by 6.8 per cent year-on-year in the first half of this year to HK$5.6 billion ($720 million).
 

The company said the move was made “in coordination with the relevant government authorities and the service provider,” and in line with Macau’s gaming regulations.

The operator assured that all customer entitlements, including unredeemed chips, deposits, or rebates, will remain valid and can be processed at other SJM casinos starting October 31.

SJM also pledged to retain all local employees, saying staff directly employed by the company will be reassigned to other casinos under the group, while local workers not on its payroll will be given priority to apply for vacancies within the group. “SJM Resorts will carry out all necessary arrangements in accordance with legal requirements to ensure an orderly transition,” the company said.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Entertainment Group announced that Waldo Casino, the sole satellite casino operated under the concession of its subsidiary Galaxy Casino Company Limited, will close one day later, at 11:59 p.m. on October 31. The group said the decision was made “due to business considerations” and approved by the Macau government.

GEG said it is working with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) to ensure the closure proceeds smoothly, and that all gaming tables at Waldo will be reallocated to its other properties.

The company said local employees will be reassigned to other casinos or non-gaming roles within the group, with existing employment terms unchanged. It also pledged to offer vocational training to help staff adapt to new roles.

Customers holding Waldo Casino chips can redeem them from November 1 at designated counters in Galaxy Macau Casino or StarWorld Casino, GEG added.

Both operators reaffirmed their support for the Macau government’s policy of promoting a “healthy and sustainable” gaming industry and contributing to the city’s economic diversification.

The only satellite casino operating under gaming concessionaire Melco ceased operations on 22 September.