Macau’s casinos have now reopened following a 33-hour closure, forced by the authorities due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, which intensified to a Signal No. 10, the highest level of warning on September 24 before gradually weakening.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) exercised its supervisory powers to coordinate the reopening. The closure was the first casino suspension in Macau this year and the longest since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the sector to close for 15 days in 2020 and seven days in 2022.
Melco Resorts stated: “Our properties have suffered minimal external damage which will be repaired over the next few days. City of Dreams and Studio City remain fully operational. Altira has suffered from some power shortages, so we have decided to take pre-emptive measures by relocating guests to our Cotai properties. We thank our colleagues for the extraordinary efforts they have made to accommodate our guests and ensure their safety and comfort.”
Sands China commented: “Although backup generators functioned accordingly as designed, operations and customer service were affected. We are working towards resuming normal operations. Public safety and security are a top priority for Sands China. We consistently endeavour to safeguard the comfort and safety of our guests even under the most critical circumstances.”
Citigroup believes the closures will cost the sector $2.3bn.
Union Gaming Analyst Grant Govertsen added: “Following today’s typhoon, we would expect the GGR growth rate to take a couple of hundred basis point hit, which could easily become notably worse should power supply issues remain overnight and into the next day.”
Japanese brokerage Nomura added: “Our analysis suggests the potential negative impact to monthly GGR growth could be approximately 600 to 700 basis points, or year-over-year growth of 19 percent versus our prior estimate of approximately 25 percent.”
At least eight people died in Macau on Wednesday, and some 150 people were injured as a result of the conditions.
The post Macau casinos reopen following 33-hour closure due to Super Typhoon Ragasa appeared first on G3 Newswire.
Macau’s casinos have now reopened following a 33-hour closure, forced by the authorities due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, which intensified to a Signal No. 10, the highest level of warning on September 24 before gradually weakening. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) exercised its supervisory powers to coordinate the reopening. The closure was the first…
The post Macau casinos reopen following 33-hour closure due to Super Typhoon Ragasa appeared first on G3 Newswire.