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The Landmark Casino closed its doors at midnight on January 1, bringing an end to Macau’s satellite casino model after decades of operation.
Its shutdown was not an isolated event but the last step in a phased exit that began months earlier, when other venues wound down under the city’s revised gaming law. Law 7/2022 set a three-year transition period for satellite casinos, requiring them to either restructure their business models or leave the market by the end of 2025.
Faced with that deadline, the three concessionaires tied to the remaining properties, SJM Resorts, Melco Resorts, and Galaxy Entertainment, chose to terminate operations altogether, citing commercial realities.
In total, 11 casinos once operated under satellite arrangements. Grandview was the first to close in July 2025, followed by others in stages through the remainder of the year.
A great year for Macau’s casino industry
Macau’s casino sector closed 2025 on a high note, combining regulatory change with record financial results.
The government’s push toward fully integrated operations meant satellite casinos were phased out, leaving licensed concessionaires in direct control of all venues. As part of this transition, operators pledged to settle displaced employees responsibly, while the Labour Affairs Bureau promised close oversight to protect workers’ rights.
Officials also signaled they would monitor any broader social or economic effects from the closures and act when needed.
These structural adjustments come against a year of strong revenue growth. Gross gaming revenue for the year reached MOP247.40 billion (€26.3 billion), a 9.1% increase compared with 2024 and comfortably above the government’s target.
December alone brought in MOP20.89 billion, up nearly 15% year-on-year, marking the best December since the pandemic despite a seasonal dip from November.
Tourism also played a massive role, as between December 20 and 28, Macau welcomed 1.14 million visitors, with cross-border traffic climbing to 6.25 million movements. By December 27, total arrivals had surpassed 39.4 million, breaking the city’s pre-pandemic record from 2019.
source: NEXT.io
