Macau’s satellite era ends as Casino Landmark set to close Dec 30
Macau is preparing for the final step in the restructuring of its satellite casino system, with SJM Resorts confirming that Casino Landmark will cease operations at 23:59 on 30 December 2025. The closure marks the end of a long period of satellite venue wind-downs as required under Macau’s amended Gaming Law, which demands that all gaming venues be directly operated by concessionaires by the end of 2025.
SJM Resorts stated that it has worked with the relevant authorities and the property’s service provider to finalise arrangements for the shutdown. In its official announcement, the company said it fully supports the Macao SAR Government’s policy of promoting healthy, orderly and sustainable development of the gaming sector. It added that it remains committed to strict compliance with the Gaming Law as amended in 2022.
According to the company, “Casino Landmark will officially cease operations at 23:59 on Tuesday, 30 December 2025.” Once the venue stops operations, “All gaming tables and gaming machines currently operating at the location will be redeployed to other self-promoted casinos of the Company to continue serving our valued customers.”
The operator confirmed that customer rights will be protected. The press release stated that “Customers holding chips, deposits, or cash rebates accumulated at Casino Landmark that remain unredeemed after its closure may visit other self-promoted casinos operated by SJM Resorts from 31 December 2025 onwards for follow-up arrangements. The Company will ensure that all customer entitlements are duly honoured.”
Staff redeployment and government oversight
Employment protection has been a central issue throughout the satellite closures. SJM Resorts said it places strong emphasis on safeguarding local jobs, noting that all local employees directly hired by the company “will remain employed and be reassigned to other casinos of the Company to undertake gaming-related roles according to operational needs.”
The company added that local employees working at Casino Landmark who are not directly employed by SJM Resorts would be invited to apply for positions across the group and would receive “the necessary support, depending on the actual situation, to facilitate a smooth transition.”
Macau’s casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, said it would continue to work with the Labour Affairs Bureau on SJM Resorts’ pledged relocation of the 1,169 staff at Casino Landmark. Publicly available data reviewed by industry sources indicates that a total of 4,149 employees from SJM-linked satellites must be absorbed into its core operations as part of the ongoing restructuring.
Last of the satellite casinos to close
Casino Landmark operates under the gaming licence of SJM Resorts, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed SJM Holdings. Its closure follows a rolling phase-out of multiple long-standing satellite venues throughout the second half of 2025. From July onwards, the group has shut Casino Grandview, Casino Grand Emperor Palace, Casino Legend Palace, Casino Casa Real, Casino Ponte 16, Casino Kam Pek Paradise and Casino Fortuna. With Casino Landmark set to close at year’s end, Macau will no longer have any satellite venues in operation.
The wider changes stem from the regulatory framework introduced alongside the new 10-year gaming concessions that began in January 2023. These rules ended the legacy model that allowed third-party investors to operate casinos under a concessionaire’s licence. From 2026 onward, the satellite structure will no longer be permitted.
Consolidation of SJM’s core portfolio
SJM Holdings has been restructuring its assets in response to the updated law. The company recently announced plans to acquire L’Arc Hotel, home to the Casino L’Arc satellite, for HKD1.75 billion. The group said the property will form part of a strengthened core cluster on the Macau Peninsula, alongside Casino Lisboa and the Grand Lisboa resort.
SJM Resorts said that it will complete all legal requirements to ensure an orderly transition during the Landmark shutdown. The company reiterated that it remains committed to fulfilling its corporate responsibilities and contributing to the stable development of Macau’s gaming sector in partnership with the local community.
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