"Hong Kong News","item":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Entertainment","item":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.thestandard.com.hk/entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"World News","item":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.thestandard.com.hk/world-news"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"Comment","item":{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https://www.thestandard.com.hk/comment"}}]}]17:T5da,

Two casinos under Galaxy Entertainment (0027) reportedly suspended operations yesterday and staff were transferred to other departments.

Rio Casino as well as the President Casino, venues located in the city's downtown area, had stopped operations by the end of Wednesday, a GGRAsia report said.

The two venues are currently taking inventory, the report added.

Meanwhile, Macau's new gaming law, which was discussed by the legislative assembly for the last time on Wednesday, will be voted on next Tuesday at the earliest, committee chairman Chan Chak-mo said.

The final version of the gaming law includes several amendments such as limiting the gaming concession to a maximum 10 years with a three-year extension to be granted by the chief executive under special circumstances.

The registered capital of concessionaires will also increase from HK$158 million to HK$5 billion, which means the net assets of concessionaires must be maintained higher than this amount.

Macau's casinos, which are due to expire on June 26, will have their licenses extended by six months, allowing more time for a highly anticipated rebidding process in the world's biggest casino hub.

Casino staff moved as operations are halted