SJM Holdings has reshaped its satellite casino strategy, announcing that it will complete the purchase of L’Arc Hotel and Casino L’Arc Macau while ceasing efforts to acquire Ponte 16. The decision marks a significant change for the concessionaire ahead of the mandatory end of satellite casino contracts due by January 2026. Through a HKD1.75 billion agreement, SJM will take ownership of L’Arc and fold the property into its core operations, while the Ponte 16 facility prepares to close its doors later this year.

Strategic Repositioning and the End of the Ponte 16 Plan

On Thursday, SJM confirmed it had entered an agreement to acquire Arc of Triumph Development Company Limited, which owns L’Arc Hotel, Casino L’Arc Macau, and associated retail and dining outlets. The company described the property as strategically located in one of Macau’s most active entertainment districts, situated among major landmarks including MGM Macau, Wynn Macau, and StarWorld. The acquisition remains subject to approval from independent shareholders and regulatory clearance from Macau authorities.

Daisy Ho, Chairman and Executive Director of SJM Holdings, said the location offered strong advantages, remarking, “L’Arc Hotel is centrally located within the active cluster of gaming, hospitality and visitor traffic on the Macau Peninsula, where the combined pull of surrounding landmarks and attractions creates opportunities that few locations can match.” She added that the casino is not operating at its full capacity and that integration into SJM Resorts’ broader network would unlock operational improvements and cross-promotional potential.

While the company had initially announced plans to acquire both L’Arc and Ponte 16, SJM said it would no longer pursue ownership of the latter after conducting a comprehensive evaluation of long-term business priorities. According to SJM, this decision followed “a thorough assessment of long-term business planning, commercial considerations and resource prioritization across the Group’s portfolio.”

A separate announcement from SJM Resorts confirmed a mutual termination agreement with Pier 16 Entertainment Group Corporation Limited, the joint venture that operates Casino Ponte 16. The venue will cease gaming operations at 11:59 p.m. on 28 November 2025, with all gaming equipment transferred to other SJM-owned casinos. SJM stated it would honor all customer entitlements following the closure, including chips, deposits, and accumulated cash rebates.

Success Universe Group, which owns a 49% stake in the Pier 16 joint venture, also addressed the impact of the shutdown. It noted that while its travel and property investment activities would continue, the closure of Casino Ponte 16 is expected to result in a “significant reduction” in its share of results from the associated businesses.

Shift Toward Peninsula Integration and Operational Consolidation

The L’Arc acquisition will transition the casino from satellite status to a directly owned and managed SJM venue. As part of the deal, SJM will acquire the property from two British Virgin Islands–incorporated companies controlled by SJM co-chair Angela Leong. Completion of the transaction is planned for 18 December, following shareholder and regulatory approval. The acquisition includes the repayment of part of an outstanding loan of nearly HKD1.93 billion, with the remaining shortfall funded through a loan from SJM Resorts.

The closure of Ponte 16 will narrow the number of remaining satellite operations under SJM to three locations: Landmark, Casino Kam Pek, and Fortuna. Once the ongoing shutdowns conclude, SJM will manage five wholly operated casinos—Grand Lisboa Palace, Grand Lisboa, Casino Lisboa, Oceanus at Jai Alai, and L’Arc.

SJM emphasized that the L’Arc purchase is intended to strengthen its presence in Macau’s highest-density gaming zone and create stronger cohesion across its peninsula properties. As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, the company stated the transaction would help it “optimize deployment of its gaming resources and elevate the property’s performance and profitability.” It noted that enhanced market coverage, better customer circulation, and improved cross-selling opportunities were among the long-term benefits expected from the acquisition.

According to SJM, these moves align with its commitment to supporting Macau’s continued development as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure,” reinforcing the city’s tourism economy and contributing to its sustainable trajectory.