Golden Dragon Group to shutter all four Macau satellite casinos by mid-2022

March 28, 2022 Macau Casino & Hotel

The four satellite casinos operated by former Macau legislator Chan Meng Kam’s Golden Dragon Group are said to be among seven satellites planning to close their doors this year ahead of expected amendments to the city’s gaming law.

Following a report by Macao Daily late last week claiming seven casinos would cease operations by mid-2022, Chinese-language media outlet Allin Media named those seven as including Golden Dragon Group’s Casino Golden Dragon, Casino Royal Dragon and Casino Million Dragon – all operating under the license of SJM Resorts – and Grand Dragon Casino which operates under the license of Melco Resorts.

The other three casinos said to be closing are those operated under Galaxy Entertainment Group – Casino Waldo, Rio and President Casino – while Allin claims other satellites are set to follow in the coming months.

The issue of Macau’s satellite casino industry was keenly debated during recent discussions on the first draft of the gaming law by a Standing Committee of Macau’s Legislative Assembly (AL).

The amended gaming law includes a stipulation that concessionaires must in future “operate games of chance in casinos in a location where it holds ownership of the real estate,” suggesting they would need to acquire some or all of Macau’s 18 satellites if those properties are to continue operating.