Tropical Storm Wipha Blows Near Macau; Casinos Operate to Safeguard the General Population
In the heart of the Pacific, Typhoon Wipha made its approach, forecasted to be a strong hurricane. However, upon landfall on July 20, 2025, it was only a tropical storm, with sustained winds of 108 kph (67 mph), categorized as a No. 10 typhoon by the Hong Kong Observatory.
Fortunately, both Hong Kong and Macau were spared by the typhoon, with no reported loss of life. Macau's border gates were closed, and people inside the Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR) were told to take shelter. Despite the closure, Macau's casinos remained open to provide shelter during the storm.
Macau's casinos are well-prepared for typhoons, maintaining "appropriate operations" even under severe storm alerts like Typhoon Signal No. 10, the highest warning level issued by Macau authorities. These establishments continue to operate temporarily during the storm, but with safety measures to handle heavy winds, torrential rains, and flooding risks.
Major casino operators like Sands China also participate in broader community disaster preparedness programs, such as distributing emergency-response kits and conducting disaster preparation workshops, which indirectly support casino staff and local residents in being better prepared for typhoon impacts.
The DICJ (Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos) issued a directive for Macau casinos to stay open during Typhoon Wipha, instructing them to maintain their premises in proper condition and make arrangements for staff and guests to take rest during the typhoon. The DICJ also continued to coordinate with gaming companies to ensure the protection of employees' rights, including the right to rest and compensation.
However, Typhoon Wipha did cause some economic damage. Nearly 200 flights at Macau International Airport were canceled, and trips to the casino town were disrupted. Despite this, Macau's gaming industry has shown signs of recovery, with June marking the city's fifth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, albeit with revenue of approximately $14.7 billion in June 2025 representing only 79.4% of the revenue won during the same period in 2019.
Early reports suggested that there was no significant damage across the peninsula or on the Cotai Strip. Fewer buildings in Macau are safer and more structurally sound than the city's many multibillion-dollar entertainment destinations, providing a measure of resilience against such weather events.
In conclusion, while Typhoon Wipha caused some disruption, both Hong Kong and Macau were spared from significant damage, and their residents and businesses were well-prepared to weather the storm. Macau's casinos, in particular, demonstrated their ability to adapt and continue operations during severe weather events, striking a balance between safety and business continuity.
- The heart of the Pacific saw Typhoon Wipha's approach, initially forecasted as a strong hurricane.
- Upon landfall on July 20, 2025, it was only a tropical storm, with sustained winds of 108 kph (67 mph), as categorized by the Hong Kong Observatory.
- Macau's casinos maintained operations even under severe storm alerts like Typhoon Signal No. 10, ensuring safety measures for heavy winds, torrential rains, and flooding risks.
- Major casino operators like Sands China participated in community disaster preparedness programs, providing emergency-response kits and conducting disaster preparation workshops.
- The DICJ directed Macau casinos to stay open during Typhoon Wipha, emphasizing the maintenance of premises and care for staff and guests.
- The typhoon caused economic damage, with nearly 200 flights at Macau International Airport canceled and trips to the casino town disrupted.
- Early reports suggested no significant damage across the peninsula or on the Cotai Strip, attributing this to fewer buildings that are structurally sound compared to Macau's entertainment destinations.
- Despite the disruption, Macau's gaming industry showed signs of recovery, with June 2025 marking the city's fifth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, albeit with only 79.4% of 2019's revenue at approximately $14.7 billion in June 2025.
