Mocha Hotel Royal to cease operations Dec. 28

As part of Melco’s plan to phase out satellite casinos in Macau before year-end, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd announced yesterday that the Hotel Royal Mocha slot hall will shut its doors on December 28 at 11:59 p.m.

In a statement, Melco said, “The closing procedures are being implemented in compliance with Macao SAR law,” and that the company is “working in close collaboration with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) to ensure that all aspects of the closing procedures for the venue are completed in an orderly manner.”

Melco assured that all electronic gaming machines from Mocha Hotel Royal will be moved to its other Macau casinos with DICJ approval. It also stressed its “continued commitment to the protection of local employment,” with affected staff to be reassigned, “ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of their employment.”

Customers will retain their rights, as gaming slips from Mocha Hotel Royal remain valid at Altira Casino and other Mocha venues.

Yesterday, DICJ confirmed the recent closure of the Mocha Hotel Grand Dragon’s gaming operations. The regulator said the process was “carried out in an orderly manner” in the morning, while maintaining close contact with the Labor Affairs Bureau regarding the 64 employee relocations.

DICJ added that “personnel were sent to the premises to provide information to the workers concerned” and that law enforcement agencies “have maintained public order at the site and in its vicinity.”

This latest closure follows similar shutdowns at Melco’s Mocha Grand Dragon and Mocha Kuong Fat slot parlors earlier this year.