Macau has quietly ended one of the most distinctive chapters in its gaming history with the shutdown of the Landmark Casino at midnight on January 1, marking the conclusion of the region’s long-running experiment with satellite casinos. With this decades-old operating model now over, Macau continues its efforts to adapt to shifting industry trends and reduce its reliance on casino revenue.
Regulatory Changes Made Satellite Casinos Unfeasible
The closure of Landmark marked the final act in a process that started after the COVID pandemic. Satellite casinos were once a common sight in Macau, operating under separate agreements that allowed third-party property owners to run casinos using the licenses of major concessionaires. Such arrangements fueled Macau’s rapid gambling expansion, particularly during the early 2000s.
However, the passage of Law 7/2022 marked the beginning of the end for satellite casinos. The revised gaming legislation introduced stricter oversight and reshaped the legal landscape. It granted satellite casinos a three-year transitional window to either restructure their business models or shut down entirely with a deadline of December 31, 2025.
In reality, restructuring was not economically viable. Landmark was one of the last properties to announce it would cease operations following the closure of nine other satellite casinos earlier in the year. Melco Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment had taken similar steps, choosing to shutter their satellite operations gradually instead of fully taking over or renegotiating the management conditions.
Macau Seeks Tighter Control over the Gambling Sector
The Landmark’s final hours featured a proper ceremony. On the final night,crowds gathered outside the venue, drawn by a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity. When the doors closed, staff drew red curtains across the casino’s signage, a gesture that underscored the finality of the closure. A brief technical hiccup with the curtain only enhanced the experience before the staff rectified the problem.
Landmark’s closure means that all of Macau’s casinos are now fully owned and operated by itssix licensed concessionaires. While the current situation marks a stark contrast from the region’s peak of 42 casinos, the pandemic and regulatory reforms necessitated a new approach. The remaining 20 casinos reflect a more centralized and tightly controlled industry.
The transition for satellite casino workers has been smoother than expected. In November 2025, around1,600 workers from shuttered satellite casinos were reassigned to other properties run by concessionaires. Dedicated support teams and consultation hotlines remain available to workers as authorities seek to ensure a smooth transition.