The area dedicated to Texas Hold’em poker on the main floor of the Wynn Macau casino has remained without activity since the end of January. Recent visits to the site and reports from industry professionals confirmed that the space continues to have its lights turned off.
Wynn Macau Ltd managed poker tables for years at the development located in Macau. The operator kept the room active even after internal changes made after the pandemic. Thus, the closure represents yet another setback for poker in the region, where the game’s presence has been decreasing.
Where Texas Hold’em poker remains active in Macau
Not all poker areas in the city have closed their activities. Recent checks have identified that Texas Hold’em remains in operation at Sands Poker Club. The space operates in the Phoenix area, on the main floor of The Venetian Macao, part of the Cotai resort managed by Sands China Ltd.
Additionally, MGM Cotai maintains its poker zone in operation. The space operates on the main floor of the complex managed by MGM China Holdings Ltd. The place had active tables until last week.
These examples indicate that poker still maintains a presence in Macau, albeit on a smaller scale. However, activity remains stronger in Cotai than on the peninsula.
Consequently, the contrast shows that operators began to adopt selective decisions about the permanence of the game.
However, the number of options for players has decreased. Therefore, those interested in poker tables need to look for the large resorts in Cotai, where demand still justifies structure and staff.
Recent closures indicate a decline in poker in the city
Texas Hold’em has had an uneven trajectory in Macau since the return of activities after the pandemic in 2023. At that time, operators and players showed growing interest in the format.
However, the scenario has changed in the last year. Instead of expansion, the sector recorded more closures. In the first half of 2025, two areas closed their doors.
One of them operated at MGM Macau, located on the peninsula. The other operated at the Grand Lisboa Palace, a venture owned by SJM Holdings Ltd in Cotai. Both have maintained stable operations since 2023.
In this context, Wynn Macau’s most recent initiative follows the same trend observed in the market. Poker does not represent one of the biggest sources of revenue for the local casino industry. The model works through the rake system, in which the house receives a percentage of each pot, instead of acting directly as the game’s bank.
Still, industry experts have highlighted a strategic role for poker for years. Professionals point to the game as a tool capable of attracting younger visitors and foreign players who normally prefer games available in their own countries.
Record revenue from Texas Hold’em comes despite reduced tables
Even with the closure of some areas, Texas Hold’em achieved record gross revenue in Macau during 2025.
Data from the Department of Gaming Inspection and Coordination (DICJ) shows that the segment raised MOP 975 million, equivalent to around US$121 million last year. The value represents growth of 10.4% compared to the MOP 883 million recorded in 2024.
Thus, the numbers indicate that player spending remained strong, despite the decrease in space dedicated to poker in casinos.
The increase occurred at the same time that demand underwent adjustments. Operators began prioritizing internal tournaments after the new concessions system was implemented on January 1, 2023.
Consequently, events promoted in Macau began to mainly display the brands of the casinos themselves. Big international poker names appeared less frequently. Part of the sector relates this change to existing regulatory restrictions.
Under current rules, operators cannot share revenue with third parties. Experts say that this limitation makes it difficult to hold large tournaments with external poker brands.
Role of poker in the gaming mix of Macau casinos
The closures recorded at Wynn Macau, MGM Macau and Grand Lisboa Palace reinforce the niche position occupied by poker in the local market.
The casino sector in Macau continues to be dominated by bank games, especially baccarat. Although gross gaming revenue will reach record levels in 2025, the rake model limits the scale of poker compared to other offerings.
Given this, operators began to prioritize space for traditional tables and slot machines aimed at the mass public. These options have a greater volume of bets and margins aligned with the commercial goals of the complexes.
Even so, areas such as the Venetian Macao and MGM Cotai demonstrate that poker still maintains a place in the city. Larger resorts are able to accommodate different gaming preferences.
With the closure of areas on the peninsula and the reduction of tables in this region, the future of poker in Macau tends to be concentrated in the large complexes of Cotai. Furthermore, the segment also depends on occasionally holding tournaments to maintain a presence in the local market.