A major Melco Resorts casino property on the Cotai Strip, operating under a genuine 10-year Macau gaming concession through 2032
Visit Studio City →Pros
- Major, well-capitalized Cotai Strip resort (USD 3.2 billion, opened 2015)
- Operated under Melco Resorts & Entertainment's strong, transparent 10-year Macau gaming concession (2023-2032)
Cons
- No online platform or welcome bonus - land-based only, given Macau's ban on online gambling for residents
Our verdict
Studio City is a major casino resort on the Cotai Strip in Macau, majority-owned by Melco Resorts & Entertainment (via subsidiary Studio City International Holdings Limited), which acquired a 60% interest in 2011. The resort opened in October 2015 at a cost of USD 3.2 billion. Melco was granted a new, genuine 10-year Macau gaming concession in 2022, running from 1 January 2023 through 31 December 2032, under which Melco Resorts Macau is authorized to operate Studio City Casino alongside Altira Casino, City of Dreams Casino, Grand Dragon Casino, and the Mocha Clubs - a strong, transparent regulatory position comparable to the Sands China group properties we've reviewed elsewhere in Macau, but under a different major operator. As a land-based resort, it has no online welcome bonus by nature: Macau prohibits online gambling for its residents, so there is no online platform for this property. For visitors evaluating land-based options in Macau, Studio City represents a well-established, well-capitalized, genuinely licensed operator alternative to the Sands China portfolio.
How we rated it
Trust & licensing (27%)9
Operated under Melco Resorts & Entertainment's renewed 10-year Macau gaming concession (2023-2032) - a strong, transparent regulatory framework covering Studio City alongside Altira Casino, City of Dreams Casino, Grand Dragon Casino, and the Mocha Clubs.
Casino (36%)7.5
A major Cotai Strip resort casino, part of Melco Resorts' portfolio, opened in 2015 at a cost of USD 3.2 billion.
Customer support (18%)7
As part of a major, established integrated resort operator, on-site guest services are extensive, though not exhaustively documented independently for this specific review.
Bonuses & value (18%)3
No online welcome bonus applies by nature - this is a land-based resort and Macau prohibits online gambling for residents, so there is no online platform to evaluate.
Welcome bonus
Quick facts
| Owner | Melco Resorts & Entertainment, via Studio City International Holdings Limited |
| Acquired/opened | 60% interest acquired 2011; opened October 2015 (USD 3.2 billion cost) |
| Gaming concession | Melco's 10-year Macau concession (2023-2032), covering Studio City, Altira, City of Dreams, Grand Dragon, and Mocha Clubs |
| Online status | Land-based only - Macau prohibits online gambling for residents |
Where Studio City is licensed
Studio City appears on the official register in 1 country — 0 for sports betting and 1 for casino. We only feature it in markets where it holds a licence to accept you.
Asia (1)
About Studio City
Studio City is a major Melco Resorts & Entertainment casino property on the Cotai Strip, Macau (opened 2015, USD 3.2B), operating under Melco's genuine 10-year Macau gaming concession (2023-2032). Land-based only; no online platform given Macau's residency ban.
FAQ
Who owns Studio City?
Melco Resorts & Entertainment, via its subsidiary Studio City International Holdings Limited, which acquired a 60% interest in 2011.
Is Studio City licensed?
Yes - it operates under Melco Resorts & Entertainment's renewed 10-year Macau gaming concession (2023-2032).
Does Studio City have an online casino?
No - it is a land-based resort only; Macau prohibits online gambling for its residents.
When did Studio City open?
October 2015, at a cost of USD 3.2 billion.
Does Studio City have a welcome bonus?
No online welcome bonus applies, since there is no online platform for this land-based property.
