The Macau government said the phase-out of satellite casinos is progressing smoothly ahead of the December 31st deadline, with nearly 3,500 employees already reassigned and no complaints received so far.
Officials said the transition is being handled in an orderly manner in accordance with the city’s gaming law, as authorities step up coordination to manage both labor arrangements and community impacts.
Speaking to the media after attending a reception marking the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR on Saturday, December 20th, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said the three-year transitional period for satellite casinos, stipulated under the city’s gaming legislation, will formally expire on December 31st. He said the government had set up an interdepartmental coordination group to oversee closure arrangements and ensure the process proceeds in a lawful and orderly manner.
Addressing concerns over the broader economic impact of the satellite casino exit, Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Ip said the government is closely monitoring effects on surrounding commercial districts. He said officials have maintained frequent communication with local merchants to understand their needs during the adjustment period and are actively studying and rolling out measures to optimize the business environment and attract foot traffic.
The Secretary said efforts have already been made to strengthen connectivity between the NAPE and ZAPE districts (where most satellite operations were located), including infrastructure improvements such as widening pedestrian crossings. The government has also responded to requests from businesses by organizing a range of activities to boost local consumption. These include extending recent international light and shadow festival events into the NAPE area, with additional themed festivals planned for the district in the coming period.
He added that relevant departments have issued operating licenses allowing restaurants in inner streets of the area to set up outdoor seating, a move that has received a positive response from operators. The government will continue to track the operating conditions of community businesses and, through cross-departmental coordination, further refine measures to improve the local business environment, Tai said.
Separately, the Chief Executive said that during his recent duty visit to Beijing, President Xi Jinping had expressed full recognition of the Macau SAR government’s work, including its efforts to promote appropriate economic diversification. He said the government will continue to implement policy measures suited to Macau’s actual conditions to advance diversified development.
The top Macau official added that, given Macau’s economic structure and the increasingly complex external environment, promoting moderate economic diversification remains both a practical necessity and a correct macro-level judgment by the central authorities.
The SAR government is currently pressing ahead with four major projects aimed at generating broader socio-economic benefits, and he called on society to build consensus and strengthen coordination with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the Hengqin cooperation zone to jointly advance diversification efforts.
