• Macau’s gaming regulator, the DICJ, has ordered all casinos in the city to close as Super Typhoon Ragasa is set to make a close approach to the territory.
• The shutdown is the first under a new, stricter government policy that mandates closures whenever a No. 8 typhoon signal is hoisted.
• A No. 8 signal is scheduled to be issued at 5 PM local time today (Tuesday), with a high probability of the storm escalating to a No. 9 or even the maximum No. 10 signal.
• The new proactive policy is a direct result of lessons learned from previous devastating storms, particularly the deadly Typhoon Hato in 2017.
• The temporary closure of the world’s largest gambling hub, while having a significant impact on revenue, underscores the government’s focus on public safety.

All casinos in Macau are being ordered to shut down today as the city braces for the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has instructed the city’s six casino concessionaires to cease all gaming operations and ensure staff and patrons have safely evacuated the premises within two hours of the official storm warning.

The city’s Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau has confirmed that a No. 8 typhoon signal will be issued at 5 PM local time. The forecast is severe, with a “high probability” of the signal being raised to a No. 9 at midnight, and a “relatively high chance” of it escalating to the maximum No. 10 warning in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A New, Proactive Government Policy

This city-wide shutdown is the first to be implemented under a new, more stringent government policy. The DICJ confirmed on Monday that it has reversed its previous stance and will now require all casinos to close whenever a No. 8 signal is raised, a lower threshold than in the past.

This proactive approach is a direct result of the lessons learned from past disasters and reflects a much greater emphasis on typhoon preparedness and public safety.

Lessons Learned from Past Disasters

Macau’s approach to storm readiness was fundamentally overhauled after the devastation caused by Typhoon Hato in August 2017. That storm left 10 people dead and caused economic losses of over $1.5 billion, forcing chaotic shutdowns across the city’s casinos as power failed.

In response, the government codified a new civil protection regime to better coordinate responses. This led to a much more orderly, pre-planned 33-hour closure of all casinos during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018-the first complete shutdown in the city’s history. The new policy to automatically close at a No. 8 signal is the latest evolution of this safety-first strategy.

A Coordinated Response

The casino closure is part of a wider, city-wide contingency plan being overseen by Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai. Emergency meetings have been held with the six casino operators to ensure that plans for evacuation and staff safety are in place.

While the temporary shutdown of the world’s most lucrative gambling hub will inevitably cause a significant, if short-term, hit to the city’s gross gaming revenue, it demonstrates a clear prioritisation of public safety and operational resilience when faced with a major natural threat.