Key Moments:
- SJM Resorts has scheduled the permanent closure of Casino Casa Real for 11:59 pm on November 21, 2025.
- SJM will manage all gaming assets and customer balances from Casa Real at its other properties starting November 22. As a result, customers will experience a smooth transition.
- SJM will reassign local Casa Real employees to its other casinos. In addition, the company will offer transitional support to non-direct hires.
Strategic Shutdown in Alignment with Macau Policy
SJM Resorts will permanently close Casino Casa Real at 11:59 pm on November 21, 2025. This decision marks a major shift in its property portfolio. This action aligns with the Macau SAR Government’s push to build a healthier and more sustainable gaming sector. In particular, the government aims to phase out satellite casinos before year-end.
Coordinated Closure and Regulatory Oversight
The announcement follows close coordination between SJM Resorts, government agencies, and other operators. Together, they aim to ensure a smooth transition. The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) will strictly supervise the closure process. Furthermore, it will oversee all cash, gaming chips, and asset handling according to government protocols.
Asset Reallocation and Customer Provisions
SJM confirmed that it will redistribute all gaming equipment, including tables and slot machines, across its casino portfolio. This step improves resource efficiency. This approach is intended to safeguard operational efficiency and effective resource deployment. In addition, customers with outstanding chips, cash rebates, or deposits from Casa Real will be able to claim their balances at any SJM-operated property in Macau beginning November 22. These measures are aimed at maintaining customer confidence and uninterrupted service.
| Area | Planned Action |
|---|---|
| Gaming Assets | Redistributed to other SJM casinos |
| Customer Balances | Available for redemption at all SJM properties from November 22 |
| Employee Placement | Local staff retained and transferred; transitional support for non-direct hires |
Employee Considerations and Transitional Support
SJM Resorts has addressed the transition’s impact on its workforce, confirming that approximately 296 local employees currently assigned to Casa Real will remain on staff and be reassigned to other casinos within the SJM network. Those not directly employed by SJM but working at Casa Real will be prioritized for open positions within the company and supported through re-employment transitions.
Trends in Macau’s Gaming and Regulatory Shift
The closure is part of a larger industry-wide shift initiated in January 2023, which required satellite casinos either to close or to be fully integrated by main concessionaires before year-end. This has resulted in the prior closure of other SJM-linked venues, as well as satellite operations managed by other concessionaires such as Melco Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment Group. The government’s intention is to concentrate activities within principal integrated resorts and promote sustainable sector growth, while enhancing regulatory controls and oversight.
SJM’s Consolidation and Future Outlook
In response to the evolving regulatory framework, SJM Resorts has outlined plans to acquire and operate properties including Casino Ponte 16 and Casino L’Arc Macau fully next year. This move signals a shift toward bolstering the group’s core assets and withdrawing from less profitable satellite operations.
Ongoing Commitment to Macau
Despite industry challenges posed by regulatory changes, SJM Resorts has reiterated its dedication to supporting Macau’s economic growth and ensuring smooth integration of satellite assets. The company is committed to upholding uninterrupted service for customers and employees alike throughout this transition.
As the closure of Casino Casa Real approaches, Macau’s gaming industry is set to become more centralized, with a renewed focus on stability, governance, and long-term sustainability.
- Author
Daniel Williams
