Casino Grandview to close end of month

SJM Resorts SA has revealed the early closure of one of its satellite casinos operating under its gaming license – Casino Grandview.

The company did not specify detailed reasons for the move, stating only that it aligned with its “overall business planning” and “commercial considerations.”

The Taipa-based casino will cease operations ahead of schedule, closing at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30.

The operator explained that all gaming tables at Casino Grandview will be transferred to other SJM properties.

Customers with unredeemed chips, deposits, or rebates may visit Casino Casa Real starting July 31 for settlement.

“The company will ensure that all customer entitlements are duly honored,” SJM stated.

Yesterday, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said it will closely monitor the closure process on-site to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

The gaming regulator also stated that it will coordinate with the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) to safeguard the rights and future employment of Casino Grandview’s 159 staff employed by SJM and seven employees recruited by the satellite’s third-party operator.

SJM assured that local employees employed by the group will be reassigned within its other casinos, while non-group staff at Grandview will receive priority for other vacancies under equal conditions.

It said employees “will be provided with the necessary support, depending on the actual situation, to facilitate a smooth transition.”

On June 9, SJM Holdings announced plans to close seven of its nine satellite casinos by the end of the year. So far, only Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau are expected to remain open beyond 2025.

To secure continued control of these two venues, SJM Holdings would need to acquire the Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau properties, bringing them into its self-operated portfolio.

Similarly, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. and Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. also announced plans to cease satellite casino operations by year-end, in response to Macau’s revamped gaming regulatory framework taking effect in 2026.

In a memo released Friday, CreditSights Inc. said the closure of satellite casinos is unlikely to significantly affect the overall gaming sector. The firm expects that gaming tables from closing satellite venues will be reallocated to operators’ other properties.

Earlier in June, Fitch Ratings projected that about 300 gaming tables and 4,000 employees would be transferred from satellite casinos to SJM’s self-operated venues. Fitch anticipates the impact on EBITDA to be “broadly neutral,” provided SJM maintains its current market share.