Macau Casinos Closed as Typhoon Ragasa Rages Through Southern China

Macau activated emergency protocols today, September 24, as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most intense cyclone in 2025, barreled toward Southern China. The Gaming Inspection Bureau (DICJ) ordered casino closures at 3 pm UCT on Tuesday, September 23, once it triggered Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. The storm, which surpassed speeds of 118 km/h, was later raised to the maximum Signal No. 10.

Typhoon Ragasa carved a devastating path, claiming 17 lives in Taiwan’s Hualien County through flash floods and crippling Hong Kong’s transport systems. The storm brought Macau to a standstill with surges and coastal floods, but no casualties have been reported in the SAR.

Learning from History

Macau suspended all ferry services and cross-border transport systems as Ragasa neared, with authorities urging residents to avoid flood-prone areas and seek emergency shelter. The DICJ order to close all casinos marks the fifth citywide shutdown in history. Previous ones include a 33-hour closure for Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, and Typhoon Saola’s nine-hour closure last year.

Casino operators now follow strict protocols during shutdowns, ensuring security and housing for staff stranded on site once transport is unavailable. These intense measures are usually rare, but they highlight how extreme weather creates economic vulnerabilities in Macau.

Coastal Zones Devastation

Hong Kong raised its Signal No. 10 alert before Macau as Ragasa unleashed strong winds, flooding key districts and destroying property, displacing over 900 residents to shelters. Meanwhile, Macau’s Inner Harbor commercial hub battled flood surges up to a meter high. The storm affected 16,000 households in the SAR until emergency crews intervened to stabilize grids.

By afternoon, Macau’s meteorological bureau dropped warning signs to Signal No. 8 as the storm receded. However, low-lying areas remained submerged as debris clogged the streets. Recovery teams used pumps and heavy machinery for cleanup while providing temporary housing for displaced residents.

Recovery Efforts

The DICJ coordinated with casino operators to reopen gaming floors once warnings dropped to Signal No. 3. The economic engine has restarted as the weather is expected to subside. The properties will follow a phase plan with rigorous safety checks for all 41 integrated resorts, which contribute 80% of Macau’s tax revenue.