Melco to Operate Three Mocha Slot Clubs via Management Company from January 1

Melco Resorts & Entertainment will begin operating three Mocha slot clubs through a dedicated management company from 1 January 2026, marking another adjustment to Macau’s evolving satellite and slot club operating framework. The change follows regulatory refinements under Macau’s new gaming concessions, which require clearer lines of responsibility and stronger oversight by licensed concessionaires. The three Mocha venues involved will continue to operate, but under a structure that places Melco in a more direct managerial role.

Under the new arrangement, Melco will not directly own the premises but will manage daily casino operations via a wholly controlled management entity. This includes staffing, compliance, and gaming supervision, ensuring alignment with the obligations imposed on concessionaires by Macau regulators. Industry observers note that this structure allows Melco to retain presence in neighbourhood-based gaming locations while remaining compliant with the tighter regulatory standards introduced in recent years.

Mocha Clubs have long been a distinctive part of Macau’s gaming landscape, focusing primarily on slot machines rather than table games and catering largely to local and regional customers. While some Mocha venues have closed or transitioned over time, the continued operation of selected clubs highlights Melco’s view that slot-only venues can still play a role within a diversified gaming ecosystem, particularly where operating costs and capital intensity are lower than those of integrated resorts.

The move also reflects broader consolidation trends across Macau’s gaming sector, as concessionaires reassess which satellite-style operations remain commercially and strategically viable. With labour costs rising and regulatory scrutiny increasing, operators are favouring structures that deliver tighter operational control and clearer accountability, even if that means operating fewer but more streamlined venues.

Looking ahead, analysts suggest that Melco’s management-company approach could serve as a template for other concessionaires seeking to balance regulatory compliance with maintaining footprint beyond core integrated resorts. As Macau continues its transition toward a more regulated and sustainable gaming model, such hybrid arrangements may become increasingly common where they align with policy goals and market demand.