Typhoon Wipha Whiffs Macau, Casinos Remain Open to Help Protect the Public
Typhoon Wipha greatly fell short of weather forecasts, leaving the city without a significant storm impact. However, Macau’s casinos played a crucial role in protecting the public during this event.
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A parent and child seek cover during a strong storm on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Macau, with the Macau Tower standing tall in the background. The forecasted Typhoon Wipha was not much more than a tropical storm when it made landfall in the casino capital of Asia.
Wipha, a common female name in Thailand meaning “splendor, radiance,” or luster,” made landfall just southwest of Macau, the casino capital of Asia, in the Guangdong Province city of Taishan.
It was categorized as a No. 10 typhoon by the Hong Kong Observatory as it approached land, a signal reserved for the deadliest of cyclones. However, as the tropical cyclone reached the Pearl River Delta in the South China Sea, Wipha’s sustained winds were at 108 kph (67 mph), the equivalent of a tropical storm. It was quickly downgraded to a severe tropical storm.
Typhoons are the same weather phenomenon as hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Typhoon names in the region are chosen by member nations of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Weathering the Typhoon 10BET Blog has compiled a list of the top 5 ways to stay safe during a typhoon.
Ahead of what weather forecasters thought could materialize into a dangerous event, Macau casinos were instructed to remain open to protect visitors from leaving the resort properties.
Macau Casino is one of the most popular destinations in Asia for gaming and entertainment.
While Macau’s border gates were closed, people inside the Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR) were told to take shelter. And in Macau, fewer buildings are safer and more structurally sound than the city’s many multibillion-dollar entertainment destinations.
The directive to stay open and operational came from Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, or DICJ. In order to protect the safety of the staff and guests in the casino and to prevent the risk of staff and guests gathering in the surrounding outdoor areas or attempting to travel due to the closure of the casino, the gaming premises and venues will be maintained in proper condition during the typhoon period.
Learn more about Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
The DICJ will continue to coordinate with the gaming companies to ensure that the gaming premises and venues are properly protected against typhoons and that the rights of employees are protected in accordance with the law, in particular, the right to take rest and to be compensated accordingly.
Typhoon Wipha: Economic Impact
Nonetheless, Wipha caused economic damage, as nearly 200 flights were canceled at Macau International Airport and many trips to the casino town were interrupted or canceled.
Learn more about flight cancellations in Macau.
However, through June 2025, gross gaming revenue of approximately $14.7 billion represents only 79.4% of the $18.5 billion that the six casino operators won during the same period in 2019.
Read more about Macau’s gaming revenue.
Conclusion
Typhoon Wipha brought no significant damage or loss of life to Macau, despite being downgraded from a No. 10 typhoon signal. The city’s casinos played a crucial role in protecting the public during this event.
While Wipha did not cause any major disruptions, it still had an economic impact on the region. Nearly 200 flights were canceled at Macau International Airport, and many trips to the casino town were interrupted or canceled.
Macau’s gaming industry continues to grow, with gross gaming revenue of approximately $14.7 billion through June 2025, representing only 79.4% of the $18.5 billion won during the same period in 2019.
In conclusion, Typhoon Wipha was a relatively minor storm that did not have a significant impact on Macau or its casinos. However, it still highlights the importance of having a plan in place for severe weather events and ensuring the safety of staff and guests.
