BEE Macau opens as city’s first professional playing card plant

BEE Macau has officially opened in Macau, becoming the city’s first professional-grade playing card manufacturing facility and one of the largest Belgian commercial investments in the market. The joint venture will produce Bee® casino card decks locally for Macau and Asia-Pacific, with full-scale commercial production already underway.

Why it matters: - BEE Macau adds a new manufacturing foothold to Macau’s push for economic diversification. - The facility brings Bee® casino card production to Macau for the first time, with selected decks now carrying a “Made in Macau” label. - The joint venture is also positioned as one of the largest Belgian commercial investments in Macau to date.

What happened: - BEE Macau held its official grand opening in Macau on October 14, 2026. - The facility is a joint venture between Cartamundi and Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited (APE; HKEX: 8400). - The plant is described as Macau’s first professional-grade playing card manufacturing facility. - Full-scale commercial production began in May 2026 after five years of planning, technology development, testing and pilot production. - Initial deliveries have already gone out to gaming operators in Asia.

The details: - BEE Macau is designed to serve gaming operators across Macau and the Asia-Pacific region. - The facility combines advanced manufacturing, enhanced security and sustainability in one site. - Automation, AI-assisted quality control and robotics support production. - Integrated track-and-trace technology and supply chain authentication are built into the process. - The facility is intended to maintain product integrity while reducing environmental impact. - Cartamundi is headquartered in Belgium and is one of the world’s largest playing card manufacturers. - APE is a supplier of gaming equipment and solutions across Asia. - Selected Bee® casino card decks produced in Macau will be distributed globally. - BEE Macau describes its cards as 100% “Made in Macau.” - The operation combines more than 200 years of Belgian card-making expertise with local market knowledge.

Between the lines: - The opening gives Macau a higher-value industrial showcase beyond its traditional gaming economy. - Local production of a global brand also strengthens the city’s manufacturing credentials. - Security, traceability and sustainability are central to the pitch, reflecting what gaming operators now want from suppliers. - Stefaan Merckx, CEO of Cartamundi Group, said the company aims to bring advanced manufacturing closer to customers in Macau and across Asia-Pacific. - Herman Ng, CEO and Executive Director of APE, said the shift from importing Bee® cards to manufacturing them in Macau marks a symbolic change for the city’s industrial development. - Jason Pearce, chairman of BEE Macau, said the venture was built to meet higher standards in security, traceability and environmental responsibility.

What's next: - BEE Macau will continue serving gaming operators in Macau and across Asia-Pacific from its Macau base. - The facility is expected to expand the local role of the Bee® brand as a manufacturing and export product. - BEE Macau’s website is bee-macau.com. - APE’s website is apemacau.com. - Cartamundi’s website is cartamundi.com.