Operator News

China – SJM dealt crushing table reduction of 37 per cent as satellite casino crackdown takes hold

By Phil - 19 December 2022

Macau operator SJM Resorts was the biggest loser in the reallocation of table games and slots by the Macau government losing 743 gaming tables or 37 per cent of its previous total.

SJM has been given 1,250 gaming tables and 1,700 electronic gaming machines under the new concession period commencing on 1 January 2023, down from 1,993 tables previously.

The government had warned that the number of tables and slots would fall to 6,000 and 12,000 respectively meaning a 13 per cent reduction in table games and a three per cent reduction in slots.

As the only licence holder to receive an increase in its gaming products, MGM China was undoubtedly the biggest winner with an extra198 tables an increase of 36 per cent.

Galaxy Entertainment Group saw its table quota slashed by seven per cent and was issued with 1,000 gaming tables and 1,700 slots down from1,079 tables.

Sands China saw its table numbers fall by 0.3 per cent as it lost just five tables in its reallocation of 1,680 gaming tables and 3,700 slots.

Wynn Resorts was issued 570 gaming tables and 1,100 electronic gaming machines, meaning its total number of table games fell by 100 from 670 or 15 per cent

Melco Resorts was given 750 gaming tables and 2,100 electronic gaming machines, meaning a 21 per cent fall in its table quota which fell from 946 tables by 196.

Melco will operate one of the 11 remaining satellite casinos at Grand Dragon Casino in Taipa.

In terms of slots, Galaxy gained 402 slots, an increase of 31 per cent, MGM was given an extra 349 slots, up 26 per cent and Wynn gained 110 slots up 11 per cent. SJM, Sands, and Melco all lost slot numbers with SJM losing 768 or 31 per cent, Sands down 335 or eight per cent and Melco seeing a decrease in its slot offering by 145 or six per cent.