Two of Macau’s long-standing satellite casinos—Emperor Palace and Waldo—are set to close their doors at the end of October, following decisions by their respective operators, SJM Resorts Ltd and Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd (GEG). The closures, approved by Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), mark another phase in the city’s ongoing restructuring of its satellite casino system.

Emperor Palace Closure at Grand Emperor Hotel

SJM Resorts announced that Casino Emperor Palace, situated within the Grand Emperor Hotel in central Macau, will cease operations at 11:59 p.m. on October 30. The decision was confirmed in filings by both SJM Holdings Ltd and Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd, which owns the hotel property. Although casino activities will end, Emperor Entertainment emphasized that it will “continue to engage in hospitality business” at the Grand Emperor Hotel.

In its statement, SJM Resorts confirmed that “all gaming tables and gaming machines currently operating at the [Emperor Palace] location will be redeployed to other casinos of the company to continue serving our valued customers.” It further assured that “customers holding chips, deposits, or cash rebates accumulated at Casino Emperor Palace that remain unredeemed after its closure may visit other casinos operated by SJM Resorts from October 31, 2025 onwards for follow-up arrangements. The company will ensure that all customer entitlements are duly honoured.”

The operator also pledged to protect local jobs. “All local employees” directly employed by SJM Resorts at the property “will be reassigned to other casinos of the company to undertake gaming-related roles according to operational needs,” the statement said. Staff not directly employed by SJM will have priority in new openings within the group, with assistance to facilitate a smooth transition.

According to SJM’s interim report for the first half of 2025, the company managed nine satellite casinos as of June 30, including Casa Real and Fortuna. The group reported a 6.8% year-on-year increase in revenue from these operations, totaling HK$5.6 billion. SJM intends to fully acquire and operate both the Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau casinos under its own license once the year concludes.

Galaxy Entertainment Winds Down Waldo Casino

Galaxy Entertainment confirmed that Waldo Casino, located inside the Waldo Hotel near Macau’s Outer Harbour, will end its gaming operations at 11:59 p.m. on October 31. The company cited “business considerations” for the closure and noted that it had received DICJ’s approval. The Waldo Hotel will continue running its non-gaming hospitality operations.

“With DICJ’s approval, the gaming tables currently operating at Waldo Casino will be reallocated to other casinos,” Galaxy stated. “Local team members currently working at Waldo Casino will be reassigned to other casinos or non-gaming roles under GEG based on operational needs, with all employment terms remaining unchanged.” Customers holding Galaxy Waldo chips can redeem them from November 1 at designated counters in Galaxy Macau Casino or StarWorld Casino, the group’s flagship properties in Cotai and downtown Macau.

As reported by GGRAsia, the DICJ confirmed it will “designate staff to oversee the formal closure process onsite” at both venues. It added that it will “continue to maintain close communication with the Labour Affairs Bureau” regarding the 71 employees of Casino Emperor Palace and 111 workers from Waldo Casino to ensure proper relocation and protection of all employment conditions.

After the closure of Emperor Palace and Waldo Casino, only seven satellite casinos will remain in operation in Macau—all under the SJM Resorts license. These include Casino Landmark, Kam Pek Paradise, Casa Real, Fortuna, Ponte 16, Le Royal Arc (L’Arc Macau), and Legend Palace.

Five additional satellites are expected to cease gaming operations by the end of 2025. While Macau’s 2022 gaming law revisions introduced the option of management-fee structures as an alternative to profit-sharing arrangements, such models have not yet been implemented between SJM Resorts and third-party operators.

Both SJM and GEG reiterated their support for the Macau government’s objective to build a “healthy and sustainable” gaming environment while contributing to economic diversification.