Ponte 16 casino closure causes major loss for Success Universe’s earnings

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

The company Success Universe Group Limited, behind a now-shuttered satellite casino at Ponte 16 in Macau, has told the market it anticipates ending 2025 at a significant loss, marking a steep downturn from the previous year’s performance.

The Hong Kong-listed firm behind the former satellite casino said preliminary unaudited figures indicate a consolidated loss ranging from HKD370 million to HKD410 million for the year ended December 31, 2025.

This marks a sharp reversal from the HKD93 million profit the company reported in the previous year.

The firm registered a substantial markdown on its Ponte 16-related investments and shared in their losses following a major asset value drop. Those same affiliates had posted a HKD112 million profit the year before. It also recorded a sharp decline in unrealized gains from overseas stock holdings.

Ownership of Pier 16 – Property Development is split between SJM Holdings, which controls 51% via a subsidiary, and Success Universe, which retains the remaining 49%.

SJM had earlier identified Ponte 16 as one of two sites intended for takeover to preserve its gaming license, following a legislative deadline requiring all satellite casinos to shut their doors by the close of 2025.

Although the L’Arc Hotel & Casino was successfully taken into SJM’s operations in December, the Ponte 16 deal fell through.

This has unsettled shareholders, given the significant funds tied up in a property that now functions entirely without gaming on the Macau peninsula.

Success Universe cautioned that the figures remain provisional, drawn from unaudited records, and may be revised. A finalized financial report is slated for release near the end of this month. Ricaela Diputado