In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which pummeled Macau with hurricane-force winds and severe flooding, Melco Resorts & Entertainment mobilized around 100 volunteers under its “Simple Acts of Kindness” programme to assist the local community. The storm had triggered Macau’s highest typhoon warning — Signal No.10 — and led to widespread disruptions including power outages and flooding in low-lying districts.
In a swift follow-up to its earlier shutdown of the Grand Dragon satellite casino, Melco Resorts & Entertainment has officially completed the closure of its Mocha Kuong Fat slot club at 11:59 pm on 24 September, under the supervision of Macau’s gaming regulator, the DICJ. The DICJ confirmed that it coordinated with multiple government departments to ensure the suspension process proceeded legally and orderly—including managing premises evacuation, handling cash and gaming assets, and ensuring compliance with regulatory protocols.
Macau’s casinos officially resumed operations at 2 a.m. on September 25 after being shuttered for approximately 33 hours in response to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The shutdown was triggered when the government raised the tropical cyclone warning to Signal No. 8 at 5 p.m. on September 23, with later escalation to No. 10 reflecting the storm’s severity. During that window, authorities evacuated staff and patrons from casinos, suspended ferry services, and halted border crossings and flights.
Japan has introduced a revised law effective September 25, 2025, targeting the proliferation of illegal online gambling and aiming to curb gambling addiction. The new regulation bans the establishment of new online casinos and blocks the posting of online advertisements promoting such sites, including on social media. While the law does not yet impose harsh penalties for noncompliance, it empowers authorities to demand operators shut down when directed and requires tech platforms and websites to remove gambling-related content when ordered.
MGM China has publicly condemned a deepfake video that falsely portrays its chairperson, Pansy Ho, making statements she did not authorize. The company issued a statement asserting that the manipulated video is a malicious fabrication designed to mislead stakeholders, damage reputations, and sow confusion. They affirmed that neither Ms. Ho nor MGM China had any involvement in the content or its production, and declared its intention to pursue legal measures against those responsible.
Author: Janice Chew • Friday, 26/09/2025
