Bee Macau begins full production: Macau’s first casino playing-card factory

Bee Macau began full-scale production in May 2026 after successful trials and initial shipments to operators in Asia. The project is a joint venture between Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings and Belgian Cartamundi Group; the project budget reached HKD 500 million. The facility is the first factory in Macau dedicated to producing casino-quality playing cards.

Bee Macau: what it means for Macau and the playing-card sector

The Bee Macau factory establishes the first local capacity to print Bee-branded cards, an industry staple historically imported into Asia for more than a century. The plant manufactures casino-grade Bee playing cards 100% in Macau and is designed to supply the territory’s six major gaming operators as well as casino operators in other markets.

The operation has already completed a trial phase and shipments; the first decks produced in Macau have been exported to Asian markets. Project leadership positions this capacity as part of Macau’s local economic diversification strategy, transforming Macau from a consumer to a producer of value-added gaming products with technological content.

## Technology, workforce and capabilities at Bee Macau

The facility combines advanced automation, artificial intelligence and robotics, and is supported by a team of local professionals. Cartamundi provided technology and training during the commissioning.

"With Bee Macau, the market finally gains a local manufacturing option for playing cards, opening the door to greater diversity. As a Macau-headquartered company, we are proud that Cartamundi entrusted us with world-class technology and training," said Herman Ng, Executive Director and CEO of Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings.

The technical-operational cooperation enabled the move from trials to full production within a timeframe that culminated in May 2026. The plant’s product offering includes customizable decks meeting the quality standards that have historically distinguished the Bee brand.

## Cartamundi and the Bee brand: industrial implications

Cartamundi Group is one of the world’s largest playing-card manufacturers and acquired the Bee brand in 2019. Stefaan Merckx, CEO of Cartamundi Group, explained the logic of bringing manufacturing capabilities closer to customers in the Asia-Pacific region: "Cartamundi is Latin for ‘cards for the world’. That concept has guided us from the start: combine global experience with strong local partnerships." According to Merckx, bringing advanced capabilities closer to customers allows serving them with the speed, quality, security and reliability they expect.

The first Bee deck was printed in 1892; since then the brand has been associated with quality and reliability. Local production under the "Made in Macau" label combines that brand heritage with the intent to create an industrial, exportable offering from the territory.

## Institutional partnerships and the launch framework

The launch of Bee Macau rests on a strategic cooperation agreement signed between Cartamundi and Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings on 27 March 2026 during the Macau International Environmental Cooperation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF). The agreement was witnessed by senior officials from the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government.

Alan Ho, president of The Macau Portuguese and Spanish-Speaking Countries Entrepreneurs Association, stated: "Serving as a bridge through Macau, the new Bee Macau factory will foster global connections and jointly open the large markets of Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries." The statement underscores the plant’s commercial and geographic ambition beyond local supply.

## Commercial and operational impact for operators and the supply chain

The factory is positioned to supply Macau’s six major gaming operators and international casinos. The proximity of a local source reduces logistics lead times and offers flexibility for custom designs, an operational advantage over historical imports. For more on industry implications, see [news](/news).

For suppliers and operators, Bee Macau presents opportunities across several layers: local production with quality control, potential commissions for marked or bespoke decks, and the promise of a faster supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region. The coexistence of automation and artificial intelligence also suggests economies of scale and consistency in quality. Operators looking at supplier selection should consider the [b2b](/b2b) implications for sourcing and customization.

## What comes next and areas of interest for investors and regulators

The HKD 500 million project is already operational and exporting. The next formal steps involve consolidating regular production volumes and expanding the customer base beyond Asia. The initiative is also presented as a case of attracting foreign direct investment and technology transfer to Macau; regulatory coordination will be relevant and visible in future milestones — see [regulation](/regulation).

Coordination with local authorities and the international visibility of the agreement position Bee Macau as a flagship project in Macau’s economic diversification agenda. The factory combines the legacy of a centennial brand with modern industrial capacity in Macau.

Documents and related events

The initial agreement between Cartamundi and Asia Pioneer was signed on 27 March 2026 at MIECF; full-scale production began in May 2026, and the project declared a budget of HKD 500 million. To follow future milestones and commercial presentations, participation in sector forums and international events will be relevant to track the factory’s development.