The Macau government has ordered the city’s casinos to shut temporarily, coinciding with the expected 5pm Tuesday hoisting of tropical cyclone Signal No.8 before the overnight approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The shutdown order was via a Macau Chief Executive dispatch, published at midday on Tuesday. A Macau chief executive has discretionary powers to suspend casino operations in emergencies, including typhoons, though these powers have been used sparingly. That is according to the city’s casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination, via commentary in a Monday press release anticipating Tuesday’s arrangements. The evacuation of guests from a number of gaming resorts had started as early as midday on Tuesday, according to comment to GGRAsia from a local gaming labour group, New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association.