Macau Casinos Resume Operations After 33-Hour Super Typhoon Ragasa Shutdown

Macau Gaming Resumes After Super Typhoon Ragasa

Macau's renowned casino industry has officially resumed operations, with gaming venues reopening from 2 AM on Thursday, September 25. This marks the end of a 33-hour suspension imposed by authorities in response to the severe impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which battered the region. The decision to reopen was part of a Chief Executive dispatch published late on Wednesday in the city's official gazette.

Impact and Intensity of Super Typhoon Ragasa

Super Typhoon Ragasa, described as the 'most intense tropical cyclone recorded in 2025' and the 'strongest storm of 2025' so far, caused widespread disruption across the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southern China before reaching Macao. The storm, known as Super Typhoon Nando in the Philippines, originated on September 17 and rapidly intensified, reaching peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) and one-minute maximum sustained winds of 270 km/h (165 mph), equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

In Macao, the city entered a 'state of immediate prevention' at 1 PM on Tuesday, September 23. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau raised the highest tropical storm warning, Signal No. 10, in the early hours of Wednesday as the storm was at its closest. While Macao experienced 'more disruption than damage' with no fatalities or serious injuries reported, the typhoon caused significant flooding, particularly in the Inner Harbour district, where water levels reached 1.5 meters above street level. Outside Macao, the typhoon was more devastating, causing at least 17 fatalities in Taiwan and over 25 deaths across the affected regions.

Casino Closure and Reopening Protocols

The closure of Macao's casinos was mandated by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding residents and visitors. All gaming establishments were ordered to shut temporarily by 5 PM on Tuesday, September 23, when the tropical cyclone Signal No. 8 was hoisted. This 33-hour shutdown marks the first casino closure in Macao this year. The DICJ worked closely with casino operators to ensure a smooth execution of shutdown protocols, including securing facilities and arranging for staff and guest departures.

The decision to allow reopening came after the typhoon signal was gradually lowered, with the alert reduced to Signal No. 3 by 11 PM on Wednesday. The DICJ will continue to exercise its supervisory powers and coordinate with gaming concessionaires to ensure the proper resumption of gaming activities.

Broader Disruptions and Recovery Efforts

Beyond the gaming sector, Super Typhoon Ragasa led to a near-total shutdown of the special administrative region.

• Schools, bridges, and Macau International Airport were closed.
• Maritime services between Macao and Hong Kong resumed on Thursday morning.
• Land border crossings between Macao and Zhuhai, in neighboring Guangdong province, began reopening gradually from 9 PM on Wednesday.
• The Macau Electric Company implemented temporary power cuts to expedite post-storm repairs.

The economic impact is also being assessed, with Citigroup having previously reduced its gross gaming revenue (GGR) forecast for Macao in September 2025 due to the typhoon. This event adds to a history of rare but significant casino closures in Macao, including a 33-hour shutdown during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018 and a nine-hour closure during Typhoon Saola in September 2023.