After operating for over 17 years, the Ponte 16 casino – a satellite casino on the Macau Peninsula – finally shut its doors on Friday following the withdrawal of an acquisition plan by SJM Holdings.
SJM announced on 16 November that it would no longer pursue its intended acquisition plan for Ponte 16. The venue subsequently ceased operations at 11:59 pm on Friday 28 November.
As its hour neared, hundreds of residents, former Ponte 16 employees and current staff gathered to witness the venue’s final moments.
“I came to Ponte 16 today specifically to witness the company’s closure,” remarked a current employee IAG spoke with the scene. “Having worked here for over six years, I find the casino’s closure regrettable.”
The employee added that while the casino is closing, they hope the hotel will continue operating.
“Ponte 16 has a certain history on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro and I hope it can endure,” they said.
A visitor who had previously gambled at the casino also expressed regret over the closure.
“I gambled here twice and found the venue clean and tidy … but never imagined it would close so abruptly,” the person commented.
Macau’s gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), also dispatched personnel to oversee the closure procedures. The DICJ subsequently issued a press release stating that the entire closure process was closely coordinated to ensure that relevant procedures were carried out in an orderly and lawful manner.
“During the closure, the Labour Affairs Bureau dispatched personnel to the site to answer employees’ questions and provided a support hotline for follow-up enquiries,” it stated. “Personnel from the Public Security Police Force and the Judiciary Police maintained order within and around the premises. Overall, the closure process proceeded smoothly and orderly.”
With the closure of the Ponte 16 casino, only Casino Kam Pek Paradise, Fortuna and Landmark remain as operational satellite casinos in Macau. However, Kam Pek and Fortuna have announced their closures on 1 and 10 December respectively. There has not yet been any update on a closure date for Landmark.
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