Kam Pek Paradise shutdown marks final phase of city’s satellite casino exit

Macau’s satellite casino era is drawing to a close as Casino Kam Pek Paradise prepares to shut down at 11:59 p.m. on 1 December, in line with the city’s amended Gaming Law requiring all casinos to be directly managed by concessionaires by the end of 2025.

Operating under the license of SJM Resorts Ltd and managed by Hong Kong-listed Paradise Entertainment Ltd, Kam Pek opened in 2007 and is one of Macau’s best-known satellite casinos. Spanning 200,000 square feet in downtown Macau, it has been promoted as the world’s first e-casino due to its focus on electronic gaming.

SJM confirmed that “All gaming tables and gaming machines currently operating at the location will be redeployed to other self-promoted casinos of the company” and that “all customer entitlements are duly honoured.” Customers holding chips or deposits can redeem them at other SJM venues from 2 December 2025. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said it is working with the Labour Affairs Bureau to relocate the venue’s 584 employees.

Paradise Entertainment reported HKD382.6 million ($49.1 million) in revenue from Kam Pek in the first half of 2025, up from HKD356.5 million a year earlier. The property accounted for more than 75% of the company’s total revenue.

The Kam Pek closure follows the recent shutdown of another SJM-licensed property, Ponte 16, which ceased operations on 29 November after SJM ended acquisition plans for the integrated resort. The DICJ said it “immediately suspended gaming table operations” following Ponte 16’s final day and described the process as “orderly,” with coordination between security and labor authorities.

The regulator reiterated that Macau’s long-standing satellite model, where third-party investors shared gaming revenue with concessionaires, will be abolished from 2026. SJM has already moved all gaming equipment from Ponte 16 to its core casinos, while affected staff have been reassigned or invited to apply for openings.

SJM’s consolidation continues as part of a phased exit from the satellite model. Casino Fortuna will close on 10 December, while Casino Landmark’s date is yet to be confirmed. Casino L’Arc will remain open after SJM agreed to acquire L’Arc Hotel for HKD1.75 billion ($224.8 million). Earlier in November, Casino Legend Palace and Casino Casa Real also ended operations.

Macau’s transition follows the enforcement of Gaming Law No. 7/2022, which mandates that all casinos must be operated directly by concessionaires. SJM, historically the operator most reliant on satellite partnerships, said its restructuring reflects a “disciplined approach to capital deployment” and long-term planning.