Macau government prepares to order closure of all casinos as super typhoon Ragasa approaches
Summary
Macau officials have warned that all casinos will be ordered to close if the typhoon warning for Ragasa is raised above the No. 8 signal. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau forecasts Ragasa will threaten Macau within 48 hours and could reach super typhoon strength comparable to Typhoon Hato (2017) and Mangkhut (2018). Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and senior secretaries held a press conference to outline preparations, with Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Ip stressing the likely significant impact and advising employers to be flexible with staff attendance after the storm.
Key Points
- Casinos will be ordered to close if the typhoon warning rises above the No. 8 signal.
- Ragasa is expected to threaten Macau within 48 hours and may match the intensity of Hato (2017) and Mangkhut (2018).
- Government warns possible water levels approaching 5 metres, meaning major flooding (around 2 metres above road surfaces) and likely power outages.
- Macau’s early warning and civil protection regime were strengthened after Hato; Macau previously closed all casinos during Mangkhut in 2018.
- Authorities advised residents to prepare at least three days’ provisions and urged employers to allow flexible return-to-work arrangements after the typhoon.
Content Summary
Secretary Tai Kin Ip said on Monday that casinos will be ordered to shut if Ragasa’s warning signal is raised above No. 8. The government has drawn comparisons with two destructive storms — Hato and Mangkhut — and warned of serious flooding and extended power outages. Hato caused ten deaths, hundreds of injuries and economic losses estimated at MOP$12.55 billion, prompting major changes to Macau’s emergency preparedness. Officials are now publicising contingency plans, including workforce flexibility after the storm passes, and urging households to stock three days’ worth of supplies.
Context and Relevance
This is a major operational and economic story for Macau’s gaming and tourism sectors. A forced closure of all casinos affects revenues, staffing, supply chains and visitor plans across the city. The announcement also highlights how lessons from Hato and Mangkhut have shaped the territory’s current civil protection and emergency-response approach. For operators, employees, suppliers and travellers, the guidance and potential closures are directly material to planning and risk management over the next few days.
Author style
Punchy: this is an urgent, high-impact update. If Ragasa reaches the projected intensity, the closure decision will have immediate operational and financial consequences — read the detail if you manage operations, staff or travel in Macau.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt — if you work in Macau’s gaming, tourism or hospitality sectors (or were thinking of travelling there), this could change everything for the next few days. Casinos closing, flood risks and power outages mean you need to act fast on staffing, bookings and safety plans.