Published on: November 10, 2025, at 01:37h.
Updated on: November 10, 2025, at 02:03h.
- The 13 Macau was sold at a significant loss earlier this year.
- The new proprietors are preparing for a revival.
The 13 Macau is gearing up for a potential resurgence.
This opulent casino resort, originally built at a cost of $1.4 billion, was sold earlier this year for a fraction of its value—just HK$600 million (approximately US$77.2 million) from its creditors who took over the abandoned 199-room luxury hotel.
The new owner, who is linked to the Rio Hotel Macau’s owner, Loi Keong Kuong, is reportedly investing in necessary upgrades to revitalize the long-closed hotel resort. As first revealed by Inside Asian Gaming, The 13 is currently seeking to fill 46 positions, including roles for housekeeping, front desk staff, engineers, and resort managers.
The recruitment activities indicate that The 13 may be reopening soon, although there have been no official announcements yet.
The 13’s Competitive Edge
Situated just over a mile south of the Cotai Strip in the Cologne area of Macau, The 13 was designed to attract high-roller clients in the casino capital of China. The project was conceived back in 2013, during a booming era for Macau’s gaming industry, which saw gamblers losing a staggering $45 billion that year.
However, the Chinese government’s crackdown on VIP junket groups has resulted in a decline in high-roller visits to Macau. The pandemic further complicated The 13’s viability.
The 13 was meant to offer an ultra-exclusive gambling experience for the elite, featuring a small VIP gaming area with baccarat and slot machines, yet it struggled to find a partnership with any of the six licensed casino operators.
With Loi’s oversight of The 13, it may resolve the gaming partnership issue, as he had collaborated with Galaxy Entertainment at the Rio until 2022. Loi is better aligned with the six gaming companies than the project’s previous developer, Stephen Hung.
Hung, a flamboyant businessman from Hong Kong, was described as a “bull in a China shop” for his persistent efforts to advance The 13 project despite serious concerns regarding its profitability. His purchase of 20 custom Rolls-Royce Phantoms for $20 million to shuttle guests before the hotel even opened was viewed as indicative of poor business judgement.
Rising Hotel Demand
Macau continues to transform itself, akin to Las Vegas, by appealing to a broader audience, particularly families and business travelers. This strategy is showing results, as visitor numbers are approaching pre-pandemic levels despite the decline in VIP patrons.
Consequently, the demand for hotel accommodations is increasing. While Las Vegas boasts over 150,000 rooms, Macau offers only around 43,000. The city’s hotel occupancy rate from January to September 2025 has risen nearly 4% compared to the previous year, reaching 89.3%.
With visitor numbers projected to increase in the coming years, Macau will likely require additional hotel capacity. However, it remains to be seen whether travelers will choose to stay at the luxurious yet remote The 13, located far from the bustling Cotai Strip or downtown areas.
Nonetheless, Loi is optimistic about his prospects for transforming The 13 into a successful operation.