The Macau Civil Protection Center confirmed that the state of immediate prevention ended at 11 p.m. on Wednesday night (24). Thus, according to Article 9 of the Civil Protection Basic Law (Law No. 11/2020), following an Executive Decree by the Chief Executive, the authority authorized the operation of some establishments, including casinos.
The emergency measures were triggered by Super Typhoon Ragasa which affected land and sea transport in the region.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Directorate (DICJ) announced that venues with permission to operate games, such as casinos, were authorized to resume activities. This happened on Thursday (25) . Management worked with concessionaires to ensure smooth reopening procedures at gaming establishments throughout the city.
Traditional ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong have also been authorized in the city. Passengers have been advised by the Maritime and Water Bureau to check with travel operators for the latest information on tickets and departure times.
The Civil Aviation Authority also recommended that travelers check flight schedules before heading to Macau International Airport, as delays may occur.
The lifting of restrictions allows the city’s gaming and transport sectors to gradually return to normal after the temporary shutdown. Tourism is one of the great assets of the city of Macau.
Tourism is the driving force behind casinos in Macau
Tourism remains Macau’s main source of revenue. The sector relies on visitor flow, so this restriction on the movement of people in the city directly impacts Macau’s casino revenue.
Operating since 2022, it faced challenges at the time due to travel restrictions due to COVID-19. However, in 2023, tourist arrivals again exceeded 70% of the figures observed in 2019.
The Chinese special administrative region, the only one in the country to allow gaming, welcomed 34.93 million visitors last year — a 23.8% jump compared to the pre-pandemic period. The growth continued this year: in May alone, Macau registered more than three million tourists, an increase of 25% compared to the same month in 2024.