Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) confirmed Tuesday that Grand Dragon Casino – the satellite casino operated under the license of Melco Resorts & Entertainment – had successfully completed its permanent closure.
In a statement, the DICJ said it had worked closely with various departments to ensure that relevant procedures were carried out in accordance with the law and in an orderly manner.
Grand Dragon Casino officially ceased operations at 11:59pm on Monday night with the regulator immediately implementing the decommissioning of gaming tables and coordinating with various departments to follow up on matters related to the venue’s clearance and evacuation, it explained.
The DICJ added that, during the closure, staff from the Labour Affairs Bureau were on-site to answer questions for employees and provide a hotline for follow-up inquiries while officers from the Public Security Police Force and the Judiciary Police maintained order in and around the venue, ensuring a smooth and orderly closure.
Melco announced last week that it would close Grand Dragon Casino on Monday and Mocha Kuong Fat later today.
“All gaming tables currently operating at Grand Dragon Casino will be reallocated to the City of Dreams Casino at the designated time, while the electronic gaming machines at the Mocha Clubs that are closing will be reallocated to the Altira, City of Dreams and Studio City casinos operated by Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited in the Macao SAR, as approved by the DICJ,” Melco explained.
The company added that local employees currently working at Grand Dragon Casino and its Mocha Clubs that are closing will be reassigned to other Melco casinos and gaming areas as operational needs dictate to ensure job stability and a smooth transition.
Melco revealed in June that it planned to cease operations of its only satellite casino, Grand Dragon Casino, before the end of the year, and would shut down three of its slot machine clubs operating under the Mocha Clubs brand.
This came on the same day that it was revealed all 11 of Macau’s satellite casinos – including the nine run by SJM Resorts and another by Galaxy Entertainment Group – would cease operations by the end of this year. SJM has outlined its intention to wholly-acquire two of its satellites – Ponte 16 and L’Arc – to continue operating as SJM casinos, although no further updates on these acquisitions have been provided.
