Macau: Galaxy closes Rio and President “satellite casinos” despite new relaxed requirements in gaming bill

June 17, 2022 Macau Events & Announcements Industry Updates

Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) announced the closure of two of its satellite casinos in Macau —Rio Casino and President Casino— as of today, June 16. According to an announcement by GEG, group employees working in these two casinos will be transferred to other venues under the concessionaire with “all terms of employment remaining the same”.

“They will also be provided with a series of vocational training to help them adapt to the new working environment,” the group noted. “GEG would like to thank the public, customers, and people from all walks of life for their love and support of Rio Casino and President Casino over the years and will continue to contribute to the development of leisure tourism in Macau.”

Prior to the announcement, a total of 18 satellite casinos out of 40 gaming venues in the territory were operational, with most of them -14- running under the license of concessionaire SJM. The remaining four venues are linked to Galaxy Entertainment Group and Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd. Satellite casino Waldo, which also operates under GEG’s license, has also reportedly applied to close operations.

According to a report released in March by Macao Daily News, seven satellite casinos were planning to stop operations by mid-year. The venues cited as decisive factors for ceasing operations the tightening of visa applications to Macau, lack of cash flow, and the ongoing impact of pandemic outbreaks. Four of the casinos reportedly to be closed were said to be linked to the Golden Dragon Group, a company owned by Macau businessman and former legislator Chan Meng Kam.