Bee Macau has officially commenced full-scale production, becoming Macau’s first casino-grade playing card manufacturing facility and marking a significant step in the city’s gaming industry diversification.
The factory is a joint venture between Belgium-based Cartamundi Group, one of the world’s largest playing card manufacturers, and Hong Kong-listed Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Ltd. Backed by an investment of approximately HK$500m, the facility produces Bee® casino-grade playing cards locally for Macau’s six gaming concessionaires and international operators.
First introduced in 1892, Bee® playing cards are widely regarded as a benchmark in casino gaming. The brand was acquired by Cartamundi in 2019, and the new Macau operation brings more than 200 years of card-making expertise into a locally based production model.
The facility features advanced automation, AI-driven systems and robotics, supported by a trained local workforce.
Herman Ng, Executive Director and CEO of APE, emphasized the significance of the launch: “With Bee Macau, the market finally gains a local choice in playing card manufacturing, opening the door to true greater diversity. As a Macau-based company, we are proud that Cartamundi has entrusted us with world-class technology and training, bringing global expertise to Macau.”
Jason Pearce, Managing Director of Cartamundi Asia Pacific, said: “We are proud to produce Bee® in Macau. This marks not only a leap in efficiency and quality, but also a strong commitment to Macau. As the world’s largest gaming market, Macau has long relied on imported playing cards, creating supply chain risks. With Bee Macau now in full production, operators now have a viable local solution. We offer operators a 100% ‘Made in Macau’’ solution, built to the highest global standards of security and precision.”
Mr. Alan Ho, President of The Macau Portuguese and Spanish-Speaking Countries Entrepreneurs Association, stated: “By serving as a bridge through Macau, the Bee Macau new factory will foster global connections and jointly open up the vast markets of Portuguese‑ and Spanish‑speaking countries.”
By establishing local production of casino-grade playing cards, Bee Macau aims to enhance supply security, operational efficiency and product customization for gaming operators in Macau and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Casino operations accounted for the majority of Macau’s gaming ecosystem, which has historically relied on imported playing cards
