UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

OR

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

OR

For the transition period from              to             

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission file number 001-33178

MELCO RESORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

(Address of principal executive offices)

Heather Rollo, Senior Vice President, Finance Tel +852 2598 3600, Fax +852 2537 3618

36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None.

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

1,482,999,434 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  ☐    Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  ☐    No  ☐

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

In this annual report on Form 20-F, unless otherwise indicated:

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This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of amounts listed therein are due to rounding. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures preceding them.

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GLOSSARY

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including our future operating results and conditions, our prospects and our future financial performance and condition, all of which are largely based on our current expectations and projections. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of some risk factors that may affect our business and results of operations. Moreover, because we operate in a heavily regulated and evolving industry, may become highly leveraged and operate in Macau, a high-growth market with intense competition, and the Philippines, a market that is expected to experience growth over the next several years, new risk factors may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of these factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.

In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based the forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to:

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The forward-looking statements made in this annual report on Form 20-F relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this annual report on Form 20-F and the documents that we referenced in this annual report on Form 20-F and have filed as exhibits with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

PART I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

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A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The Company adopted a new revenue recognition standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “New Revenue Standard”) on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. Results for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis.

The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 reflect our retrospective adoption in 2016 of the new guidance on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should read the selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future.

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The following events/transactions affect the year-to-year comparability of the selected financial data presented above:

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Exchange Rate Information

The majority of our current revenues are denominated in H.K. dollars, whereas our current expenses are denominated predominantly in Patacas, H.K. dollars and the Philippine peso. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from H.K. dollars to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to H.K. dollars in this annual report on Form 20-F were made at a rate of HK$7.8315 to US$1.00.

The H.K. dollar is freely convertible into other currencies (including the U.S. dollar). Since October 17, 1983, the H.K. dollar has been officially linked to the U.S. dollar at the rate of HK$7.80 to US$1.00. The market exchange rate has not deviated materially from the level of HK$7.80 to US$1.00 since the peg was first established. However, in May 2005, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority broadened the trading band from the

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original rate of HK$7.80 per U.S. dollar to a rate range of HK$7.75 to HK$7.85 per U.S. dollar. The Hong Kong government has stated its intention to maintain the link at that rate and, acting through the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, has a number of means by which it may act to maintain exchange rate stability. However, no assurance can be given that the Hong Kong government will maintain the link at HK$7.75 to HK$7.85 per U.S. dollar or at all.

The noon buying rate on December 31, 2018 in New York City for cable transfers in H.K. dollars per U.S. dollar, provided in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was HK$7.8305 to US$1.00. On March 22, 2019, the noon buying rate was HK$7.8466 to US$1.00. We make no representation that any H.K. dollar or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or H.K. dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all.

The following table sets forth information concerning the noon buying rate for H.K. dollars for the period indicated.

The Pataca is pegged to the H.K. dollar at a rate of HK$1.00 = MOP1.03. All translations from Patacas to U.S. dollars in this annual report on Form 20-F were made at the exchange rate of MOP8.0665 = US$1.00. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not certify for customs purposes a noon buying rate for cable transfers in Patacas.

This annual report on Form 20-F also contains translations of certain Renminbi, New Taiwan dollars and the Philippine peso amounts into U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars in this annual report on Form 20-F were made at the noon buying rate on December 31, 2018 for cable transfers in RMB per U.S. dollar, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which was RMB6.8755 to US$1.00. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from New Taiwan dollars to U.S. dollars in this annual report on Form 20-F were made at the noon buying rate on December 31, 2018 for cable transfers in New Taiwan dollars per U.S. dollar, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which was TWD30.61 to US$1.00. Unless otherwise stated, all conversions from the Philippine peso to U.S. dollars in this annual report on Form 20-F were made based on the volume weighted average exchange rate quoted through the Philippine Dealing System, which was PHP52.563 to US$1.00 on December 28, 2018.

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We make no representation that any RMB, TWD, PHP or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB or TWD or PHP, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On March 22, 2019, the noon buying rate was RMB6.7162 to US$1.00 and TWD30.87 to US$1.00. The Philippine Dealing System ceased publication of exchange rate information on April 1, 2018. The exchange rate as of March 22, 2019 as provided by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was PHP52.539 to US$1.00.

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not applicable.

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

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D. RISK FACTORS

Our business, financial condition and results of operations can be affected materially and adversely by any of the following risk factors.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations

Our operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future operating results and prospects. We have significant projects in various phases of development and therefore are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

Our business operating history is shorter than some of our competitors and therefore may not serve as an adequate basis for your evaluation of our business and prospects. City of Dreams commenced operations in June 2009. City of Dreams Manila commenced operations in December 2014. Studio City commenced operations in October 2015. In addition, we have significant projects, such as the additional development of the land on which Studio City is located, which are in various phases of design or development.

We face certain risks, expenses and challenges in operating gaming businesses in intensely competitive markets. Some of the risks relate to our ability to:

If we are unable to complete any of these tasks, we may be unable to operate our businesses in the manner we contemplate and generate revenues from such projects in the amounts and by the times we anticipate. We may also be unable to meet the conditions to draw on our existing or future financing facilities in order to fund various activities, which may result in a default under our existing or future financing facilities. If any of these events were to occur, it would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We generate a substantial portion of our cash flow from our properties in Macau and the Philippines and, as a result, are subject to greater risks than a gaming company which operates in more geographical regions.

We are a parent company with limited business operations of our own. We conduct most of our business operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our primary sources of cash are dividends and distributions with respect to our ownership interests in our subsidiaries that are derived from the earnings and cash flow generated by our operating properties.

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We primarily depend on our properties in Macau and City of Dreams Manila for our cash flow. Given that our operations are and will be primarily conducted based on our principal properties in Macau and one property in Manila, we are and will be subject to greater risks resulting from limited diversification of our businesses and sources of revenues as compared to gaming companies with more operating properties in various geographic regions. These risks include, but are not limited to:

Any of these developments or events could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

All our current and future construction projects are and will be subject to significant development and construction risks, which could have a material adverse impact on related project timetables, costs and our ability to complete the projects.

All our current and future construction projects are and will be subject to a number of risks, including:

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The occurrence of any of these developments or construction risks could increase the total costs, delay or prevent the construction or opening or otherwise affect the design and features of any existing or future construction projects which we might undertake. We cannot guarantee that our construction costs or total project costs for existing or future projects will not increase beyond amounts initially budgeted.

We could encounter substantial cost increases or delays in the development of our projects, which could prevent or delay the opening of such projects.

We have certain projects under development or intended to be developed pursuant to our expansion plan. The completion of these projects is subject to a number of contingencies, including adverse developments in applicable legislation, delays or failures in obtaining necessary government licenses, permits or approvals. The occurrence of any of these developments could increase the total costs or delay or prevent the construction or opening of new projects, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also require additional financing to develop our projects. Our ability to obtain such financing depends on a number of factors beyond our control, including market conditions, investors’ and lenders’ perceptions of, and demand for, debt and equity securities of gaming companies, credit availability and interest rates.

There is no assurance that the actual construction costs related to our projects will not exceed the costs we have projected and budgeted. In addition, construction costs, particularly labor costs, are increasing in Macau and we believe that they are likely to continue to increase due to the significant increase in building activity and the ongoing labor shortage in Macau. In addition, immigration and labor regulations in Macau may limit or restrict our contractors’ ability to obtain sufficient laborers from China to make up for any shortages in available labor in Macau and help reduce construction costs. Continuing increases in construction costs in Macau will increase the risk that construction will not be completed on time, within budget or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Construction is subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life, thereby subjecting us to liabilities and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance.

The construction of large scale properties, including the types of projects we are involved in, can be dangerous. Construction workers at such sites are subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life, thereby subjecting the contractors and us to liabilities, possible losses, delays in completion of the projects

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and negative publicity. We believe, and require, our contractors take safety precautions that are consistent with industry practice, but these safety precautions may not be adequate to prevent serious personal injuries or loss of life, damage to property or delays. If accidents occur during the construction of any of our projects, we may be subject to delays, including delays imposed by regulators, liabilities and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance, and our business, prospects and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

We are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession contract which require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by July 24, 2021. If we do not complete development by that time and the Macau government does not grant us an extension of the development period, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the buildings and structures on such land.

Land concessions in Macau are issued by the Macau government and generally have terms of 25 years and are renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years. Land concessions further stipulate a period within which the development of the land must be completed. In accordance with the Studio City land concession contract, the land on which Studio City is located must be fully developed by July 24, 2021. While we opened Studio City in October 2015, development for the remaining land of Studio City is still ongoing and in the early stages. There is no guarantee we will complete the development of the remaining project for the land of Studio City by the deadline. In the event that additional time is required to complete the development of the remaining land of Studio City, we will have to apply for an extension of the relevant development period which shall be subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. While the Macau government may grant extensions if we meet certain legal requirements and the application for the extension is made in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations, there can be no assurance that the Macau government will grant us any necessary extension of the development period or not exercise its right to terminate the Studio City land concession. In the event that no extension is granted or the Studio City land concession is terminated, we could lose all or substantially all of our investment in Studio City, including our interest in land and buildings and may not be able to continue to operate Studio City as planned, which will materially adversely affect our business and prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Inadequate transportation infrastructure in the Philippines or Macau may hinder increases in visitation to the Philippines or Macau.

City of Dreams Manila is located within Entertainment City, Manila, an area in the city of Manila which is currently under development. Other than Solaire and Okada Manila, there are currently no other integrated tourism resorts which have begun operations in Entertainment City, Manila. It is unlikely that Manila’s existing transportation infrastructure is capable of handling the increased number of tourist arrivals that may be necessary to support visitor traffic to large scale integrated resorts within Entertainment City, such as City of Dreams Manila. Although the newly constructed NAIA Expressway helped alleviate the traffic congestion within the area surrounding Entertainment City and the Philippine government continues to examine viable alternatives to ease traffic congestion in Manila, there is no guarantee that these measures will succeed, or that they will sufficiently eliminate the traffic problem or other deficiencies in Manila’s transportation infrastructure. Traffic congestion and other problems in Manila’s transportation infrastructure could adversely affect the tourism industry in the Philippines and reduce the number of potential visitors to City of Dreams Manila, which could, in turn, adversely affect our business and prospects, financial condition and results of our operations.

Macau consists of a peninsula and two islands and is connected to China by two border crossings. Macau has an international airport and connections to China and Hong Kong by road, ferry and helicopter. To support Macau’s planned future development as a gaming and leisure destination, the frequency of bus, car, air and ferry services to Macau will need to increase. While various projects are under development to improve Macau’s internal and external transportation links, including the Macau Light Rapid Transit and capacity expansion of border crossings, these projects may not be approved, financed or constructed in time to handle the

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projected increase in demand for transportation or at all, which could impede the expected increase in visitation to Macau and adversely affect our projects in Macau. For example, there has been a delay in the development of the Macau Light Rapid Transit, and the benefits expected to be brought by proximity of any of our properties to one of the planned Cotai hotel-casino resort stops may not be fully realized until the commencement of operations of such light rapid stops. Any further delays or termination of Macau’s transportation infrastructure projects may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Furthermore, the expected reduction in travel time from Hong Kong as well as throughout China to Macau following the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which opened to traffic on October 23, 2018, may not materialize, and may not result in increased traffic to Macau and to our Macau properties as a result.

Our business in Macau and the Philippines is subject to certain regional and global political and economic risks, as well as natural disasters, that may significantly affect visitation to our properties and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The strength and profitability of our business will depend on consumer demand for integrated resorts and leisure travel in general. Terrorist and violent criminal activities, military conflicts and natural disasters have and may continue to negatively affect travel and leisure expenditures, including lodging, gaming and tourism. We cannot predict the extent to which such acts or events may affect us, directly or indirectly, in the future.

Most of our properties are located in Macau and a significant number of our gaming customers come from, and are expected to continue to come from, mainland China. Accordingly, our business development plans, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected by significant political, social and economic developments in Macau and China. In particular, our operating results may be adversely affected by:

For example, our business and operations are affected by the travel or visa restrictions imposed by China on its citizens from time to time. The Chinese government imposes restrictions on exit visas granted to resident citizens of mainland China for travel to Macau. The government further restricts the number of days that resident citizens of mainland China may spend in Macau for certain types of travel. Such travel and visa restrictions, and any changes imposed by the Chinese government from time to time, could disrupt the number of visitors from mainland China to our properties.

Our operations in Macau are also exposed to the risk of changes in laws and policies that govern operations of Macau-based companies. Tax laws and regulations may also be subject to amendment or different interpretation and implementation, thereby adversely affecting our profitability after tax. Further, certain terms of our gaming subconcession may be subject to renegotiations with the Macau government in the future, including amounts we will be obligated to pay the Macau government in order to continue operations. The results of any renegotiations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the demand for gaming activities and related services and luxury amenities that we provide through our operations is dependent on discretionary consumer spending and, as with other forms of entertainment, is

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susceptible to downturns in global and regional economic conditions. An economic downturn may reduce consumers’ willingness to travel and reduce their spending overseas, which would adversely impact us as we depend on visitors from mainland China and other countries to generate a substantial portion of our revenues. Changes in discretionary consumer spending or consumer preferences could be driven by factors such as perceived or actual general economic conditions, high energy and food prices, the increased cost of travel, weak segments of the job market, perceived or actual disposable consumer income and wealth, fears of recession and changes in consumer confidence in the economy or fears of armed conflict or future acts of terrorism. An extended period of reduced discretionary spending and/or disruptions or declines in airline travel could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any changes in China’s economy, including the decrease in the pace of economic growth. A number of measures taken by the Chinese government in recent years to control the rate of economic growth, including those designed to tighten credit and liquidity, have contributed to a slowdown of China’s economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s GDP growth rate was 6.6% in 2018, which is lower than the 6.9% in 2017. Any slowdown in China’s future growth may have an adverse impact on financial markets, currency exchange rates and other economies, as well as the spending of visitors in Macau and our properties. There is no guarantee that economic downturns, whether actual or perceived, any further decrease in economic growth rates or an otherwise uncertain economic outlook in China will not occur or persist in the future, that they will not be protracted or that governments will respond adequately to control and reverse such conditions, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

City of Dreams Manila is located in the Philippines and is subject to certain economic, political and social risks within the Philippines. The Philippines has in the past experienced severe political and social instability, including acts of political violence and terrorism. Any future political or social instability in the Philippines could adversely affect the business operations and financial conditions of City of Dreams Manila. In addition, changes in the policies of the government or laws or regulations, or in the interpretation or enforcement of these laws and regulations, such as anti-smoking policies or legislation, may negatively impact consumption patterns of visitors to City of Dreams Manila and could adversely affect our business operations and financial condition.

In addition, demand for, and the prices of, gaming and entertainment products are directly influenced by economic conditions in the Philippines, including growth levels, interest rates, inflation, levels of business activity and consumption, and the amount of remittances received from overseas Filipino workers. Any deterioration in economic and political conditions in the Philippines or elsewhere in Asia could materially and adversely affect our Company’s business in the Philippines, as well as the prospects, financial condition and results of our operations in the Philippines.

Our business in the Philippines will also depend substantially on revenues from foreign visitors and be affected by the development of Manila and the Philippines as a tourist and gaming destination. Such revenues from foreign visitors and development of Manila and the Philippines may be disrupted by events that reduce foreigners’ willingness to travel to or create substantial disruption in Metro Manila and raise substantial concerns about visitors’ personal safety, such as power outages, civil disturbances and terrorist attacks, among others. For example, in June 2017, there were multiple deaths at the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines when a gunman caused a stampede and set fire to casino tables and slot machine chairs. The Philippines has also experienced a significant number of major catastrophes over the years, including typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. We cannot predict the extent to which our business in the Philippines and tourism in Metro Manila in general will be affected by any of the above occurrences or fears that such occurrences will take place. We cannot guarantee that any disruption to our Philippine operations will not be protracted, that City of Dreams Manila will not suffer any damages and that any such damage will be completely covered by insurance or at all. Should the Philippines fail to continue to develop as a tourist destination or should Entertainment City or Manila fail to become a widely recognized regional gaming

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destination, City of Dreams Manila may fail to attract a sufficient number of visitors, which would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Any of these occurrences may disrupt our operations in the Philippines.

The subtropical climate and location of both Macau and the Philippines render them susceptible to typhoons, heavy rainstorms and other natural disasters. In the event of a major typhoon, such as Typhoon Hato and Typhoon Mangkhut in Macau in August 2017 and September 2018, respectively, or other natural disasters in Macau or the Philippines, our properties may be severely disrupted and adversely affected and our properties may even be required to temporarily cease operations by regulatory authorities. Any flooding, unscheduled interruption in the technology or transportation services or interruption in the supply of public utilities is likely to result in an immediate and possibly substantial loss of revenues due to a shutdown of any of our properties and material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition.

In addition, the global macroeconomic environment is facing challenges, including the escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis since 2011, the end of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the economic slowdown in the Eurozone in 2014 and the escalation of international trade conflicts, including the trade disputes between the United States and China and the potential further escalation of trade tariffs and related retaliatory measures between these two countries and globally. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets, and over the conflicts involving Ukraine and Syria and potential conflicts involving the Korean peninsula. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global economy or increase in international trade or political conflicts may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

Policies, campaigns and measures adopted by the PRC and/or Macau governments from time to time could materially and adversely affect our operations.

A significant number of the gaming customers of our properties come from, and are expected to continue to come from, China. Any travel restrictions imposed by China could disrupt the number of patrons visiting our properties from China. Since mid-2003, under the Individual Visit Scheme, or IVS, Chinese citizens from certain cities have been able to travel to Macau individually instead of as part of a tour group. The Chinese government has in the past restricted and loosened IVS travel frequently and may continue to do so from time to time and it is unclear whether such measures will become more restrictive in the future. A decrease in the number of visitors from China would adversely affect our results of operations.

In addition, certain policies and campaigns implemented by the Chinese government may lead to a decline in the number of patrons visiting our properties and the amount of spending by such patrons. The strength and profitability of the gaming business depends on consumer demand for integrated resorts in general and for the type of luxury amenities that a gaming operator offers. Recent initiatives and campaigns undertaken by the Chinese government have resulted in an overall dampening effect on the behavior of Chinese consumers and a decrease in their spending, particularly in luxury good sales and other discretionary spending. For example, the Chinese government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign has had an overall chilling effect on the behavior of Chinese consumers and their spending patterns both domestically and abroad. In addition, the number of patrons visiting our properties may be affected by the Chinese government’s focus on deterring marketing of gaming to Chinese mainland residents by casinos and its initiatives to tighten monetary transfer regulations, increase monitoring of various transactions, including bank or credit card transactions, and reduce the amount that China-issued ATM cardholders can withdraw in each withdrawal and impose a limit on the annual aggregate amount that may be withdrawn. Recent conviction of staff of a foreign casino in China in relation to gaming related activities in China have created further regulatory uncertainty on marketing activities in China.

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We derive a significant majority of our revenues from our Macau gaming business and any disruptions or downturns in the Macau gaming market may have a material impact on our business.

Prior to 2014, we derived substantially all of our revenues from our business and operations in Macau. Although we now also generate revenues from our Philippine operations, we continue to derive a significant majority of our revenues from our Macau gaming business and may be materially affected by any disruptions or downturns in the Macau gaming market. While the Macau gaming market has generally improved since the third quarter of 2016, the Macau gaming market, according to the DICJ, experienced a decline in gross gaming revenues from 2014 to 2016. We believe such decline was primarily driven by a deterioration in gaming demand from China, which provides a core customer base for the Macau gaming market, as well as other restrictions including the imposition of travel restrictions and the implementation of smoking restrictions in casinos. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by such decline or other disruptions in the Macau gaming market.

The gaming industries in Macau and the Philippines are highly regulated.

Gaming is a highly regulated industry in Macau. Our Macau gaming business is subject to various laws, such as those relating to licensing, tax rates and other regulatory obligations, such as anti-money laundering measures, which may change or become more stringent. Changes in laws may result in additional regulations being imposed on our gaming operations in Macau and our future projects. Our operations in Macau are also exposed to the risk of changes in the Macau government’s policies that govern operations of Macau-based companies and the Macau government’s interpretation of, or amendments to, our gaming subconcession. Any such adverse developments in the regulation of the Macau gaming industry could be difficult to comply with and could significantly increase our costs, which could cause our projects to be unsuccessful. See “— Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Operations in Macau — Adverse changes or developments in gaming laws or other regulations in Macau that affect our operations could be difficult to comply with or may significantly increase our costs, which could cause our projects to be unsuccessful.”

The Philippine gaming industry is also highly regulated, including the new amendment to the existing Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Act, as amended (“AMLA”), whereby casinos are now included as covered persons subject to reporting and other requirements under the AMLA. The Anti-Money Laundering Council and PAGCOR have also recently released regulations and guidelines on compliance and we are currently adjusting our anti-money laundering policies for our Philippine operations to these new rules and regulations. City of Dreams Manila may legally operate under the Regular License, which requires a number of periodic approvals from and reports to PAGCOR. PAGCOR may refuse to approve proposals by us and our gaming promoters, or modify previously approved proposals and may require us and/or our gaming promoters to perform acts with which we disagree. The Regular License requires, among others, 95.0% of City of Dreams Manila’s total employees to be locally hired. PAGCOR could also exert a substantial influence on our human resource policies, particularly with respect to the qualifications and salary levels for gaming employees, especially in light of the fact that employees assigned to the gaming operations are required by PAGCOR to obtain a Gaming Employment License. As a result, PAGCOR could have influence over City of Dreams Manila’s gaming operations. Moreover, because PAGCOR is also an operator of casinos and gaming establishments in the Philippines, it is possible that conflicts in relation to PAGCOR’s operating and regulatory functions may exist or may arise in the future. In addition, we and our gaming promoters may not be able to obtain, or maintain, all requisite approvals, permits and licenses that various Philippine and local government agencies may require. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the Philippines.

Furthermore, our licenses and permits from various Philippine government agencies, such as those related to labor, public works, safety, fire, buildings, health and environmental, are required to be renewed annually. There is no guarantee that the requirements for such permits and licenses will remain the same, or that the relevant Philippine government agencies will not impose additional and more onerous requirements. This

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may affect our ability to renew our licenses and permits, which could adversely affect our business in the Philippines.

In addition, current laws and regulations in Macau and the Philippines concerning gaming and gaming concessions and licenses or, for the most part, fairly recent and there is little precedent on the interpretation of these laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are complex, and a court or administrative or regulatory body may in the future render an interpretation of these laws and regulations, or issue new or modified regulations, that differ from our interpretation. For instance, certain decisions issued recently by the Macau courts have determined that a gaming operator is liable for the refund of patron funds deposited with a gaming promoter for various purposes while other Macau court decisions have determined that a gaming operator has no such liability. These decisions are not final. The uncertainty caused by these contradictory decisions, a final adverse determination on a gaming operator’s liability with respect to a gaming promoter’s activity or new or modified regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Uncertainties in the legal systems in the PRC may expose us to risks.

Gaming-related activities in the PRC, including marketing activities, are regulated by the PRC government and subject to various PRC laws and regulations. The PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we may not be aware of all policies and rules imposed by the PRC authorities which may affect or relate to our business and operations. There is also no assurance that our interpretation of the laws and regulations that affect our activities and operations in the PRC is or will be consistent with the interpretation and application by the PRC governmental authorities. These uncertainties may impede our ability to assess our legal rights or risks relating to our business and activities. Any changes in the laws and regulations, or in the interpretation or enforcement of these laws and regulations, that affect gaming-related activities in the PRC could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory terms. Such discretion of the PRC administrative and court authorities increases the uncertainties in the PRC legal system and makes it difficult to evaluate the likely outcome of any administrative and court proceedings in the PRC. Any litigation or proceeding in the PRC may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and management attention. Any such litigation or proceeding could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

We face intense competition in Macau, the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia and may not be able to compete successfully.

The hotel, resort and gaming industries are highly competitive. The competitors of our business in Macau, the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia include many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and resort companies in the world. Some of these current and future competitors are larger than we are and may have more diversified resources, better brand recognition and greater access to capital to support their developments and operations in Macau, the Philippines and elsewhere.

In the Philippine gaming market, we compete with hotels and resorts owned by both Philippine nationals and foreigners. PAGCOR, an entity owned and controlled by the government of the Philippines, also operates gaming facilities across the Philippines. Our operations in the Philippines face competition from gaming operators in other more established gaming centers across the region, particularly those of Macau and Singapore, and other major gaming markets located around the world, including Australia and Las Vegas, as we target similar pools of customers and tourists. A number of such other operators have a longer track record of gaming operations and such other markets have more established reputations as gaming markets. Our operations in the

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Philippines may not be successful in its efforts to attract foreign customers and independent gaming promoters to City of Dreams Manila, and to promote Manila as a gaming destination.

In Macau, some competitors have opened new properties, expanded operations and/or have announced intentions for further expansion and developments in Cotai, where City of Dreams and Studio City are located. For example, Galaxy Casino, S.A., or Galaxy, opened Galaxy Macau Resort in Cotai in May 2011, Phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau Resort in May 2015 and Phase 3 of the Galaxy Macau Resort is currently being developed and expected to be completed and operational in 2020, while Phase 4 is expected to be completed and operational after 2021. Sands China Ltd., a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, opened the Parisian Macao in Cotai in September 2016. Wynn Macau opened the Wynn Palace in Cotai in August 2016. MGM Grand Paradise opened MGM Cotai in February 2018. Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A., or SJM, is currently developing its project in Cotai which is expected to open in 2019. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Market and Competition.”

We also compete to some extent with casinos located in other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere in the world, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the United States. In addition, in December 2016, a law which conceptually enables the development of integrated resorts in Japan took effect. Certain other countries, such as Taiwan and Thailand, may also in the future legalize casino gaming and may not be subject to as stringent regulation as the Macau and/or Philippine markets. We also compete with cruise ships operating out of Hong Kong and other areas of Asia that offer gaming. In addition, certain of our gaming promoters may become our competitors by operating their own gaming operations, which may result in the diversion of their junket players to their gaming operations. For instance, a major gaming promoter has announced the expansion of its businesses into operating gaming activities in Vietnam and Cambodia. The proliferation of gaming venues in Asia could also significantly and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

Currently, Macau is the only region in Greater China offering legal casino gaming. Although the Chinese government has strictly enforced its regulations prohibiting domestic gaming operations, there may be casinos in parts of China that are operated illegally and without licenses. In addition, there is no assurance that China will not in the future permit domestic gaming operations. Competition from casinos in China, legal or illegal, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.

Our regional competitors also include casino resorts that Melco International may develop elsewhere in Asia Pacific outside Macau. Melco International may develop different interests and strategies for projects in Asia which conflict with the interests of our business in Macau or otherwise compete with us for Asian gaming and leisure customers. See “— Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure and Ownership.”

The governments in Macau and the Philippines could grant additional rights to conduct gaming in the future, which could significantly increase competition and cause us to lose or be unable to gain market share.

In Macau, Melco Resorts Macau is one of the six companies authorized by the Macau government to operate gaming activities. Pursuant to the terms of Macau Law No. 16/2001, or the Macau Gaming Law, the Macau government is precluded from granting more than three gaming concessions. Each concessionaire was permitted to enter into a subconcession agreement with one subconcessionaire. The Macau government is currently considering the process of renewing, extending or granting gaming concessions or subconcessions for concessions and subconcessions expiring in 2022. The policies and laws of the Macau government could result in the grant of additional concessions or subconcessions, which could significantly increase the competition in Macau and cause us to lose or be unable to maintain or gain market share, and as a result, adversely affect our business.

In the Philippines, PAGCOR has issued regular gaming licenses to the Philippine Licensees and one other company and additional provisional gaming licenses to two other companies in the Philippines for the

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development and operation of integrated casino resorts. PAGCOR has recently granted a provisional license to a fifth operator located near the Entertainment City in mid-2018. PAGCOR has also licensed private casino operators in special economic zones, including four in the Clark Ecozone, one in Poro Point, La Union, one in Binangonan, Rizal and one in the Newport City CyberTourism Zone, Pasay City. The Regular License granted by PAGCOR to the Philippine Licensees is non-exclusive, and there is no assurance that PAGCOR will not issue additional gaming licenses, or that it will limit the number of licenses it issues. Any additional gaming licenses issued by PAGCOR could increase competition in the Philippine gaming industry, which could diminish the value of the Philippine Licensees’ Regular License. This could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the Philippines.

Any simultaneous planning, design, construction and development of any projects may stretch our management’s time and resources, which could lead to delays, increased costs and other inefficiencies in the development of these projects.

There may be overlap in the planning, design, development and construction periods of our projects. Members of our senior management will be involved in planning and developing our projects at the same time, in addition to overseeing our day-to-day operations. Our management may be unable to devote sufficient time and attention to such projects, as well as our operating properties, which may result in delays in the construction or opening of any of our current or future projects, cause construction cost overruns or cause the performance of our operating properties to be lower than expected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior management, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

We place substantial reliance on the gaming, project development and hospitality industry experience and knowledge of the Macau and Philippine markets possessed by members of our board of directors, our senior management team, as well as other management personnel. We may experience changes in our key management in the future, including for reasons beyond our control. The loss of Mr. Lawrence Ho’s services or the services of the other members of our board of directors or key management personnel could hinder our ability to effectively manage our business and implement our growth and development strategies. Finding suitable replacements for members of our board of directors or key management personnel could be difficult, and competition for personnel of similar experience could be intense in Macau and the Philippines. In addition, we do not currently carry key person insurance on any members of our senior management team.

The success of our business depends on our ability to attract and retain an adequate number of qualified personnel. A limited labor supply, increased competition and any increase in demands from our employees could cause labor costs to increase.

The pool of experienced gaming and other skilled and unskilled personnel in Macau and the Philippines is limited. Our demand remains high for personnel occupying sensitive positions that require qualifications sufficient to meet gaming regulations and other requirements or skills and knowledge that would need substantial training and experience. Competitive demand for qualified gaming and other personnel is expected to be intensified by the increased number of properties recently opened and expected to open in close proximity to our properties in Macau and the Philippines. The limited supply and increased competition in the labor market could cause our labor costs to increase.

Macau government policy prohibits us from hiring non-Macau resident dealers and supervisors. In addition, the Macau government announced it will continue to monitor the proportion of management positions held by Macau residents and implement measures to ensure such proportion remains no less than 85% of senior and mid-management positions. Due to the increased competition in the labor market and the relevant regulatory restrictions, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified

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individuals to operate our properties, or that costs to recruit and retain such personnel will not increase significantly. In addition, we have recently been subject to certain labor demands in Macau. The inability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and management personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Further, the Macau government is currently enforcing a labor policy pursuant to which the ratio of local to foreign workers that may be recruited is determined on a case-by-case basis and, in relation to construction works, must be at least 1:1 unless otherwise authorized by the Macau government. Such a policy could have a material adverse effect on our ability to complete works on our properties, such as the additional development of the land on which Studio City is located. Moreover, if the Macau government enforces similar restrictive ratios in other areas, such as the gaming, hotel and entertainment sectors, or imposes additional restrictions on the hiring of foreign workers generally, this could have a material adverse effect on the operation of our properties.

In the Philippines, the Regular License requires that at least 95.0% of City of Dreams Manila’s total employees be locally hired. Our inability to recruit a sufficient number of employees in the Philippines to meet this provision or to do so in a cost-effective manner may cause us to lower our hiring standards, which may have an adverse impact on City of Dreams Manila’s service levels, reputation and business. In January 2019, the employees of the Table Games Division of City of Dreams Manila voted to organize and become part of a labor union that will act as their collective bargaining agent with Melco Resorts Leisure, the operating company of City of Dreams Manila. On February 13, 2019, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Makabayan (KMM-Katipunan) Melco Resorts Leisure (PHP) Corporation — Table Games Division — Chapter, or KMM-MELCO [TDG], was certified by the Philippines Department of Labor to represent the rank-and-file employees of the Table Games Division of City of Dreams Manila as the former’s sole and exclusive bargaining agent. Any demand or activities of such collective bargaining agent, or any additional collective bargaining agents that may be certified by the Philippines Department of Labor in the future, could have a material adverse effect on the business and operations of City of Dreams Manila or our financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, casino resort employers may also contest the hiring of their former employees by us. There can be no assurance that any such claim will not be successful or other similar claims will not be brought against us or any of our affiliates in the future. In the event any such claim is found to be valid, we could suffer losses and face difficulties in recruiting from competing operators. If found to have basis by courts, these allegations could also result in possible civil liabilities on us or our relevant officers if such officers are shown to have deliberately and willfully condoned a patently unlawful act.

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all losses that we may suffer from our operations. In addition, our insurance costs may increase and we may not be able to obtain the same insurance coverage in the future.

We currently have various insurance policies providing certain coverage typically required by gaming and hospitality operations in Macau. In addition, we maintain various types of insurance policies for our Philippine business and operations, including mainly property damage, business interruption and general liability insurance policies, and a surety bond required by PAGCOR, which secures the prompt payment by Melco Resorts Leisure of the monthly licensee fees due to PAGCOR. These insurance policies provide coverage that is subject to policy terms, conditions and limits. There is no assurance that we will be able to renew such insurance coverage on equivalent premium costs, terms, conditions and limits upon their expiration. The cost of coverage may in the future become so high that we may be unable to obtain the insurance policies we deem necessary for the operation of our projects on commercially practicable terms, or at all, or we may need to reduce our policy limits or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage.

We cannot assure you that any such insurance policies we obtained or may obtain will be adequate to protect us from material losses. Certain acts and events could expose us to significant uninsured losses. In addition to the damages caused directly by a casualty loss such as fire or natural disasters, we may suffer a

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disruption of our business as a result of these events or be subject to claims by third parties who may be injured or harmed. While we intend to continue carrying business interruption insurance and general liability insurance, such insurance may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and, in any event, may not be adequate to cover all losses that may result from such events.

There is limited available insurance in Macau and the Philippines and our insurers in Macau and the Philippines may need to secure reinsurance in order to provide adequate cover for our property and development projects. Our credit agreements, Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession contract with Wynn Macau relating to the gaming concession in Macau (the “Subconcession Contract”), the Regular License granted by PAGCOR and certain other material agreements require a certain level of insurance to be maintained, which must be obtained in Macau and the Philippines, respectively, unless otherwise authorized by the respective counter-parties. Failure to maintain adequate coverage could be an event of default under our credit agreements, the Subconcession Contract or the Regular License and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The winnings of our patrons could exceed our casino winnings at particular times during our operations.

Our revenues are mainly derived from the difference between our casino winnings and the winnings of our casino patrons. Since there is an inherent element of chance in the gaming industry, we do not have full control over our winnings or the winnings of our casino patrons. If the winnings of our patrons exceed our casino winnings, we may record a loss from our gaming operations, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Win rates for our casino operations depend on a variety of factors, some beyond our control, which, at particular times, adversely impact our results of operations.

In addition to the element of chance, theoretical win rates are also affected by other factors, including player skills and experience, the mix of games played, the financial resources of players, the spread of table limits, the volume and mix of bets placed by our players and the amount of time players spend on gambling — thus our actual win rates may differ greatly over short time periods, such as from quarter to quarter, and could cause our quarterly results to be volatile. Each of these factors, alone or in combination, have the potential to negatively impact our win rates, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our gaming business is subject to the risk of cheating and counterfeiting.

All gaming activities at our table games are conducted exclusively with gaming chips which, like real currency, are subject to the risk of alteration and counterfeiting. We incorporate a variety of security and anti-counterfeit features to detect altered or counterfeit gaming chips. Despite such security features, unauthorized parties may try to copy our gaming chips and introduce, use and cash in altered or counterfeit gaming chips in our gaming areas. Any negative publicity arising from such incidents could also tarnish our reputation and may result in a decline in our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Gaming customers may attempt or commit fraud or cheat in order to increase their winnings, possibly in collusion with the casino’s staff. Internal acts of cheating could also be conducted by staff through collusion with dealers, surveillance staff, floor managers or other gaming area staff. Our existing surveillance and security systems, designed to detect cheating at our casino operations, may not be able to detect all such cheating in time or at all, particularly if patrons collude with our employees. In addition, our gaming promoters or other persons could, without our knowledge, enter into betting arrangements directly with our casino patrons on the outcomes of our games of chance, thus depriving us of revenues.

Our operations are reviewed to detect and prevent cheating. Each game has a theoretical win rate and statistics are examined with these in mind. Cheating may give rise to negative publicity and such action may materially affect our business, financial condition, operations and cash flows.

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An outbreak of widespread health epidemics, contagious disease or other outbreaks may have an adverse effect on the economies of certain Asian countries and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of widespread health epidemics, such as swine flu, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Zika or Ebola. Any occurrence of such a health epidemic, prolonged outbreak of an epidemic illness or other adverse public health developments in China or elsewhere in the world could materially disrupt our business and operations. Such events could also significantly impact our industry and cause a temporary closure of the facilities we use for our operations, which would severely disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Guangdong Province in China, which is located across the Zhuhai Border from Macau, has confirmed several cases of avian flu. Fully effective avian flu vaccines have not been developed and there is evidence that the H5N1 virus is constantly evolving so there can be no assurance that an effective vaccine can be discovered or commercially manufactured in time to protect against any potential avian flu pandemic. In the first half of 2003, certain countries in Asia experienced an outbreak of SARS, a highly contagious form of atypical pneumonia, which seriously interrupted economic activities and caused the demand for goods and services to plummet in the affected regions.

There can be no assurance that an outbreak of swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, MERS, Zika, Ebola or other contagious disease or any measures taken by the governments of affected countries against such potential outbreaks will not seriously interrupt our gaming operations. The perception that an outbreak of any health epidemic or contagious disease may occur may also have an adverse effect on the economic conditions of countries in Asia. In addition, our operations could be disrupted if any of our employees or others involved in our operations were suspected of having swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, MERS, Zika or Ebola as this could require us to quarantine some or all of such employees or persons or disinfect the facilities used for our operations. Furthermore, any future outbreak may restrict economic activities in affected regions, which could result in reduced business volume and the temporary closure of our offices or otherwise disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations. Our revenues and profitability could be materially reduced to the extent that a health epidemic or other outbreak harms the global or PRC economy in general.

Health and safety or food safety incidents at our properties may lead to reputational damage and financial exposures.

We provide goods and services to a significant number of customers on a daily basis at our properties in Macau and Manila. In particular, with attractions, entertainment and food and beverage offerings at our properties, there are risks of health and safety incidents or adverse food safety events. While we have a number of measures and controls in place aimed at managing such risks, we cannot guarantee that our insurance is adequate to cover all losses, which may subject us to incur additional costs and damages, and negatively impact our financial performance. Such incidents may also lead to reduced customer flow and reputational damage to our properties. See “— We are subject to risks relating to litigation, disputes and regulatory investigations which may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.”

Unfavorable fluctuations in the currency exchange rates of the H.K. dollar, U.S. dollar, Pataca or the Philippine peso and other risks related to foreign exchange and currencies, including restrictions on conversions and/or repatriation of foreign currencies, could adversely affect our indebtedness, expenses, profitability and financial condition.

Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is associated with the currency of our operations and our indebtedness and as a result of the presentation of our financial statements in U.S. dollar. The majority of our current revenues are denominated in H.K. dollar, given the H.K. dollar is the predominant currency used in gaming transactions in Macau and is often used interchangeably with the Pataca in Macau. Our current expenses

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are denominated predominantly in Pataca, H.K. dollar and the Philippine peso. In addition, we have revenues, assets, debt and expenses denominated in the Philippine peso relating to our business in the Philippines. We also have subsidiaries, branch offices and assets in various countries, including Taiwan, which are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations and local regulations that may impose, among others, limitations, restrictions or approval requirements on conversions and/or repatriation of foreign currencies. In addition, a significant portion of our indebtedness, including the 2017 Senior Notes and Studio City Notes, and certain expenses, are denominated in U.S. dollar, and the costs associated with servicing and repaying such debt will be denominated in U.S. dollar.

The value of the H.K. dollar, Pataca and the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar may fluctuate and may be affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. While the H.K. dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar within a narrow range and the Pataca is in turn pegged to the H.K. dollar, and the exchange rates between these currencies has remained relatively stable over the past several years, we cannot assure you that the current peg or linkages between the U.S. dollar, H.K. dollar and Pataca will not be de-pegged, de-linked or otherwise modified and subject to fluctuations. Any significant fluctuations in exchange rates between the H.K. dollar, Pataca or the Philippine peso to the U.S. dollar may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we are required to convert U.S. dollar financings into H.K. dollar or Pataca for our operations, fluctuations in exchange rates between the H.K. dollar or Pataca against the U.S. dollar could have an adverse effect on the amounts we receive from the conversion.

While we maintain a certain amount of our operating funds in the same currencies in which we have obligations in order to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations, we have not engaged in hedging transactions with respect to foreign exchange exposure of our revenues and expenses in our day-to-day operations during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. In addition, we may face regulatory, legal and other risks in connection with our assets and operations in certain jurisdictions that may impose limitations, restrictions or approval requirements on conversions and/or repatriation of foreign currencies. We will consider our overall procedure for managing our foreign exchange risk from time to time, but we cannot assure you that any such procedures will enable us to obtain and achieve effective hedging of our foreign exchange risk, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

We may undertake mergers, acquisitions, strategic transactions or investments that could result in operating difficulties and distractions from our current businesses and subject us to regulatory and legal inquiries and proceedings.

We have made, and may in the future make, acquisitions and investments in companies or projects to expand or complement our existing operations. From time to time, we engage in discussions and negotiations with companies regarding acquisitions or investments, which may be material or significant, in such companies or projects. We may, from time to time, receive inquiries from regulatory and legal authorities and become subject to regulatory and legal proceedings in connection with such acquisitions and investments in companies or projects. In addition, if we acquire or invest in another company or project, the integration process following the completion of such acquisition may prove more difficult than anticipated. We may be subject to liabilities or claims that we are not aware of at the time of the investment or acquisition, and we may not realize the benefits anticipated at the time of the investment or acquisition. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and liabilities and adversely affect our businesses, financial condition and operating results. Even if we do identify suitable opportunities, we may not be able to make such acquisitions or investments on commercially acceptable terms or adequate financing may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all, and we may not be able to consummate a proposed acquisition or investment.

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In addition, we may expand our operations and enter new regions and markets through mergers, acquisitions, strategic transactions or investments. Such expansion may subject us to:

These factors and the impact of these factors on our business and operations are difficult to predict and may have material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to risks relating to litigation, disputes and regulatory investigations which may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

We are, and may in the future be, subject to legal actions, disputes and regulatory investigations in the ordinary course of our business. We are also subject to risks relating to legal and regulatory proceedings and investigations which we or our affiliates may be a party to from time to time, or which could develop in the future, as well as fines or other penalties which may be imposed on us in connection with any requisite permit, license or other approval for our business and operations. Litigation and regulatory proceedings can be costly and time-consuming and may divert management attention and resources from our operations. We could incur significant defense costs and, in the event of an adverse outcome, be required to pay damages and interest to the prevailing party and, depending on the jurisdiction of the litigation, be held responsible for the costs of the prevailing party. Our reputation may also be adversely affected by our involvement or the involvement of our affiliates in litigation and regulatory proceedings. In addition, we and our affiliates operate in a number of jurisdictions in which regulatory and government authorities have wide discretion to take procedural actions in support of their investigations and regulatory proceedings, including seizures and freezing of assets and other properties that are perceived to be connected or related to such investigations or regulatory proceedings. Given such wide discretion, regulatory or government authorities may take procedural actions that may affect our assets and properties in connection with any investigation or legal or regulatory proceeding involving us or any of our affiliates, which may materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In addition, if we are unsuccessful in defending against any claims alleging that we received misappropriated or misapplied funds, this may require further improvements to our existing anti-money laundering procedures, systems and controls and our business operations may be subject to greater scrutiny from relevant regulatory authorities, all of which may increase our compliance costs. No assurance can be provided that any provisions we have made for such matters will be sufficient. Litigation and regulatory proceedings and investigation are inherently unpredictable and our results of operations or cash flows may be adversely affected by an unfavorable resolution of any pending or future litigation, disputes and regulatory investigation.

We extend credit to a portion of our customers, and we may not be able to collect gaming receivables from our credit customers.

We conduct, and expect to continue to conduct, our gaming activities at our casinos on a credit basis as well as a cash basis. Consistent with customary practice in both the Macau and the Philippines gaming markets, we grant credit to our gaming promoters and certain of our premium direct players. Gaming promoters bear the

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responsibility for issuing credit and subsequently collecting the credit they granted. We extend credit, often on an unsecured basis, to certain gaming promoters and VIP patrons whose level of play and financial resources warrant such an extension in our opinion. High-end patrons typically are extended more credit than patrons who wager lower amounts. Any slowdown in the economy could adversely impact our VIP patrons, which could in turn increase the risk that these clients may default on credit extended to them.

We may not be able to collect all of our gaming receivables from our credit customers. We expect that we will be able to enforce our gaming receivables only in a limited number of jurisdictions, including Macau, the Philippines and under certain circumstances, Hong Kong. As most of our gaming customers in Macau are visitors from other jurisdictions, we may not have access to a forum in which we will be able to collect all of our gaming receivables because, among other reasons, courts in many jurisdictions do not enforce gaming debts. Further, we may be unable to locate assets in other jurisdictions against which recovery of gaming debts can be sought. The collectability of receivables from our credit customers, and, in particular, our international credit customers, could be negatively affected by future business or economic trends or by significant events in the jurisdictions in which these customers reside, or in which their assets are located. We may also, in certain cases, have to determine whether aggressive enforcement actions against a customer will unduly alienate the customer and cause the customer to cease playing at our casinos. We could suffer a material adverse impact on our operating results if receivables from our credit customers are deemed uncollectible. In addition, in the event a credit customer suffers losses in connection with any gaming activities at our properties and receivables from such customer are uncollectible, Macau gaming taxes or Philippines license fees (as the case may be) will still be payable on the resulting gaming revenues, notwithstanding any receivables owed by such customer to us may be uncollectible. An estimated allowance for doubtful debts is maintained to reduce our receivables to their carrying amounts, which approximate fair values.

Our business and financial plans may be negatively impacted by any contraction in the availability of credit.

Our business and financing plans may be dependent upon the completion of future financings. Any severe contraction of liquidity in the global credit markets may make it difficult and costly to obtain new lines of credit or to refinance existing debt, and may place broad limitations on the availability of credit from credit sources as well as lengthen the recovery cycle of extended credit. Any deterioration in the credit environment may cause us to have difficulty in obtaining additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, which could adversely affect our ability to complete current and future projects. Tightening of liquidity conditions in credit markets may also constrain revenue generation and growth and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Rolling chip patrons and VIP gaming customers may cause significant volatility in our revenues and cash flows.

A significant proportion of our casino revenues in Macau is generated from the rolling chip segment of the gaming market. Similarly, City of Dreams Manila also attracts foreign gaming visitors, particularly VIP players who typically place large individual wagers. The loss or a reduction in the play of the most significant of these rolling chip patrons or VIP gaming customers could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, revenues and cash flows derived from high-end gaming of this type are typically more volatile than those from other forms of gaming primarily due to high bets and the resulting high winnings and losses. As a result, our business and results of operations and cash flows from operations may be more volatile from quarter to quarter than that of our competitors and may require higher levels of cage cash in reserve to manage this volatility.

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We depend upon gaming promoters for a portion of our gaming revenues and if we are unable to establish, maintain and increase the number of successful relationships with gaming promoters or if the financial resources of our gaming promoters are insufficient to allow them to continue doing business in Macau and/or Manila, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.

Customers introduced to us by gaming promoters are responsible for a significant portion of our gaming revenues in Macau and Manila. For the year ended December 31, 2018, approximately 27.0% of our casino revenues were derived from customers sourced through our rolling chip gaming promoters. With the rise in casino operations in Macau and Manila, the competition for relationships with gaming promoters has increased and is expected to continue to increase. If we are unable to utilize, maintain and/or develop relationships with gaming promoters, our ability to grow our gaming revenues will be hampered and we will have to seek alternative ways to develop and maintain relationships with rolling chip patrons, which may not be as profitable as relationships developed through gaming promoters. As competition intensifies, we may therefore need to offer better terms to gaming promoters, including extensions of credit, which may increase our overall credit exposure. In addition, gaming promoters may encounter difficulties in attracting patrons to come to Macau or Manila. Gaming promoters may also experience decreased liquidity, limiting their ability to grant credit to their patrons, resulting in decreased gaming volume in Macau or Manila. Credit already extended by our gaming promoters may become increasingly difficult to collect. Also, in the event the Macau government reduces the cap on the commission rates payable to gaming promoters, gaming promoters’ incentives to bring travelers to casinos in Macau would be further diminished, and certain of the gaming promoters may be forced to cease operations or divert the travelers to other regions. This inability to attract sufficient patrons, settle accounts with patrons, grant credit and collect amounts due in a timely manner may negatively affect our gaming promoters’ operations, causing them to wind up or liquidate their operations, and as a result, our ability to maintain or grow casino revenues and our ability to recover credit extended may be adversely affected. The inability of gaming promoters to settle accounts with their patrons may expose such gaming promoters to litigation proceedings initiated by affected patrons, which may also expose us to additional litigation risk.

We are impacted by the reputation and integrity of the parties with whom we engage in business activities, including gaming promoters and we cannot assure you that these parties will always maintain high standards or suitability throughout the term of our association with them. Failure to maintain such high standards or suitability may cause us and our shareholders to suffer harm to our own and our shareholders’ reputation, as well as impair relationships with, and possibly result in sanctions from, gaming regulators.

The reputation and integrity of the parties with whom we engage in business activities are important to our own reputation and our ability to continue to operate in compliance with the permits and licenses required for our businesses. These parties include, but are not limited to, those who are engaged in gaming-related activities, such as gaming promoters, developers and hotel, restaurant and night club operators with whom we have or may enter into services or other types of agreements. Under the Macau Gaming Law, Melco Resorts Macau has an obligation to supervise its gaming promoters to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and serious breaches or repeated misconduct by its gaming promoters could result in the termination of its subconcession. For parties we deal with in gaming-related activities, where relevant, the gaming regulators also undertake their own probity checks and will reach their own suitability findings in respect of the activities and parties with which we intend to associate. In addition, we also conduct our internal due diligence and evaluation process prior to engaging such parties. Notwithstanding such regulatory probity checks and our own due diligence, we cannot assure you that the parties with whom we are associated will always maintain the high standards that gaming regulators and we require or that such parties will maintain their suitability throughout the term of our association with them. In addition, if any of our gaming promoters violate gaming laws while on our premises, the government may, in its discretion, take enforcement action against the gaming promoters and may find us jointly liable for such gaming promoter’s violations. Also, if a party associated with us falls below the gaming regulator’s suitability standard or if their probity is in doubt, this may be negatively perceived when assessed by the gaming regulators. As a result, we and our shareholders may suffer reputational harm, as well as impaired relationships with, and possibly sanctions or other measures or actions from, the relevant gaming regulators with authority over our operations.

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Any violation of anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, could have a negative impact on us.

We and our businesses in different jurisdictions are subject to a number of anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA. Breach of these anti-corruption laws carries severe criminal and civil sanctions as well as other penalties and reputational harm. There have been increased enforcement activities in the U.S. and elsewhere in recent years and the number of FCPA cases and sanctions imposed by U.S. authorities has risen considerably. We have adopted strict rules of conduct and compliance programs for our employees, agents and contractors, requiring them to conduct all their business dealings and practices in compliance with our policies and relevant anti-corruption laws. Notwithstanding our emphasis on an ethical business culture, there is no assurance that our employees, contractors and agents will adhere fully, or at all, or continue to adhere to our rules and programs. Should they fail to adhere to our rules of conduct and compliance programs, we may be investigated or prosecuted, or be made subject to other actions or proceedings. Penalties, sanctions and administrative remedies that may result from such actions or proceedings may have a material adverse effect on our reputation and customer relationships or may lead to other adverse consequences on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

A failure to establish and protect our intellectual property rights could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have applied for and/or registered certain trademarks, including “Altira,” “Mocha Club,” “City of Dreams,” “Nüwa,” “The Countdown,” “City of Dreams Manila,” “Studio City,” “Melco Resorts Philippines” and “Melco Resorts & Entertainment” in Macau, the Philippines and/or other jurisdictions. We have also registered in Macau, the Philippines and other jurisdictions certain other trademarks and service marks used in connection with the operations of our hotel casino projects in Macau and City of Dreams Manila. We endeavor to establish and protect our intellectual property rights through trademarks, service marks, domain names, licenses and other contractual provisions. The brands we use in connection with our properties have gained recognition. Failure to possess, obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights could negatively impact our brands and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, third parties may misappropriate or infringe our intellectual property, which may include but not be limited to the use of our intellectual property by offshore gaming websites, including those that may attempt to defraud members of the public. While we may take legal or other appropriate actions against these unauthorized offshore websites, such as by reporting the sites to the appropriate governmental or regulatory authorities, such actions may not be effective or significant expenses could be incurred and such unauthorized activities may draw businesses away from our operations and/or tarnish our reputation, all of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The infringement or alleged infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to third parties could adversely affect our business.

We face the potential risk of claims that we have infringed upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, which could be expensive and time-consuming to defend. In addition, we may be required to cease using certain intellectual property rights or selling or providing certain products or services, pay significant damages or enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property rights (if available at all), any of which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and future prospects. Furthermore, if litigation were to result from such claims, our business could be interrupted.

We cannot assure you that anti-money laundering policies that we have implemented, and compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws, will be effective to prevent our casino operations from being exploited for money laundering purposes.

Macau’s free port, offshore financial services and free movement of capital has created an environment whereby Macau’s casinos could be exploited for money laundering purposes. We also deal with significant

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amounts of cash during our regular casino operations in the Philippines. As our Macau and Philippine operations are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations, we have implemented anti-money laundering policies to address those requirements. Philippine laws on anti-money laundering have recently been amended to include casinos as covered institutions and the Anti-Money Laundering Council and PAGCOR have also recently released corresponding regulations and guidelines on compliance. While we are currently adjusting our anti-money laundering policies for our Philippine operations to these new rules and regulations, as these laws, regulations and guidelines have only recently been enacted, their implementation or application, as well as any further changes to anti-money laundering laws and regulations in Macau and/or the Philippines may require us to adopt changes to our own anti-money laundering policies.

We cannot assure you that our contractors, agents or employees will continually adhere to any such current or future policies or these policies will be effective in preventing our casino operations from being exploited for money laundering purposes, including from jurisdictions outside of Macau or the Philippines.

There can be no assurance that, despite the anti-money laundering measures we have adopted and undertaken, we would not be subject to any accusation or investigation related to any possible money laundering activities. In addition, we expect to be required by regulatory authorities from Macau, the Philippines and other jurisdictions to attend meetings and interviews from time to time to discuss our operations as they relate to anti-money laundering laws and regulations during which regulatory authorities may make inquiries and take other actions at their discretion. Any incident of money laundering, accusation of money laundering or regulatory investigations into possible money laundering activities involving us, our employees, our gaming promoters, our customers or others with whom we are associated could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, cash flow, financial condition, prospects and results of operations. Any serious incident of, or repeated violation of, laws related to money laundering or any regulatory investigation into money laundering activities may cause a revocation or suspension of the subconcession or of the Regular License. For more information regarding anti-money laundering regulations in Macau and the Philippines, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Macau Regulations — Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in Macau” and “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Philippines Regulations — Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in the Philippines.”

Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risks, including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security, as well as regulatory and other risks.

We rely on information technology and other systems (including those maintained by third-parties with whom we contract to provide data services) to maintain and transmit large volumes of customer information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions, mailing lists and reservations information and other personally identifiable information. We also maintain important internal company data such as personally identifiable information about our employees and information relating to our operations. The systems and processes we have implemented to protect customers, employees and company information are subject to the rapidly changing risks of compromised security and may therefore become outdated. Despite our preventive efforts, we are subject to the risks of compromised security, including cyber and physical security breaches, system failure, computer viruses, technical malfunction, inadequate system capacity, power outages, natural disasters and inadvertent, negligent or intentional misuse, disclosure or dissemination of information or data by customers, company employees or employees of third-party vendors as well as ransomware attacks that encrypt, exfiltrate or otherwise render data unusable or unavailable. These risks can also be manifested in a variety of other ways, including through methods which may not yet be known to the cyber security community, and have become increasingly difficult to anticipate and prevent.

The steps we take to deter and mitigate these risks may not be successful and our insurance coverage for protecting against cyber security risks may not be sufficient. Our third-party information system service providers face risks relating to cyber security similar to ours, and we do not directly control any of such service providers’ information security operations. A significant theft, loss or fraudulent use of customer or company

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data maintained by us or by a third-party service provider could have an adverse effect on our reputation, cause a material disruption to our operations and management team, and result in remediation expenses, regulatory penalties and litigation by customers and other parties whose information was subject to such attacks, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and cash flows. If our information technology systems become damaged or otherwise cease to function properly, our sales and results of operations may be adversely affected and we may have to make significant investments to repair or replace them. Furthermore, any extended downtime from power supply disruptions or information technology system outages which may be caused by cyber security attacks or other reasons at our properties may lead to an adverse impact on our operating results if we are unable to deliver services to customers for an extended period of time.

Despite the security measures we currently have in place, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, phishing attacks, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors and other events. Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly more difficult to anticipate and prevent due to their rapidly evolving nature and, as a result, the technology we use to protect our systems could become outdated. The occurrence of any of the cyber incidents described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

Any perceived or actual electronic or physical security breach involving the misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personally identifiable information, whether by us or by a third party, could disrupt our business, damage our reputation and relationships with our customers and employees, expose us to risks of litigation, significant fines and penalties and liability, result in the deterioration of our customers’ and employees’ confidence in us, and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information of our employees, customers or website visitors could harm our reputation and credibility and reduce our ability to attract and retain employees and customers. As these threats develop and grow, we may find it necessary to make significant further investments to protect our data and infrastructure, including the implementation of new computer systems or upgrades to existing systems, deployment of additional personnel and protection-related technologies, engagement of third-party consultants, and training of employees.

Failure to protect the integrity and security of company employee and customer information and comply with applicable privacy regulations may result in damage to reputation and/or subject us to fines, penalties, lawsuits, restrictions on our use or transfer of data and other risks.

Our businesses collect, use and transmit large volumes of data, including credit card numbers and personal data in various information systems relating to our customers and employees, and such personal data may be collected and/or used in, and transmitted to or from, multiple jurisdictions. Our customers and employees have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. Such collection, use and/or transmission of personal data are governed by privacy laws and regulations and such laws and regulations change often, vary significantly by jurisdiction and often are newly enacted. For example, the European Union (EU)’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018, requires companies to meet new and more stringent requirements regarding the handling of personal data. The GDPR also captures data processing by non-EU firms with no EU establishment as long as such non-EU firms’ processing relates to “offering goods or services” or the “monitoring” of individuals in the EU. As GDPR is a newly enacted law, there is limited precedence on the interpretation and application of GDPR. In addition, we must also comply with other industry standards such as those for the credit card industry and other applicable data security standards.

Compliance with applicable privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products, properties and services to our customers and guests. For example, these laws and regulations may restrict information sharing in ways that make it more difficult to obtain or share information concerning at risk individuals. In addition, non-compliance with applicable privacy regulations by us (or in some circumstances non-compliance by third parties engaged by us) may result in damage of reputation

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and/or subject us to fines, penalties, payment of damages, lawsuits, criminal liability or restrictions on our use or transfer of data. Failure to meet the GDPR requirements, for example, may result in penalties of up to four percent of worldwide revenue.

Negative press or publicity about us or our directors, officers or affiliates may lead to government investigations, result in harm to our business, brand or reputation and have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Unfavorable publicity regarding us, or our directors, officers or affiliates, whether substantiated or not, may have a material and adverse effect on our business, brand and reputation. Such negative publicity may require us to engage in a defensive media campaign, which may divert our management’s attention, result in an increase in our expenses and adversely impact our results of operations or financial condition. The continued expansion in the use of social media over recent years has compounded the potential scope of the negative publicity that could be generated. Any negative press or publicity could also lead to government or other regulatory investigations, including causing regulators with jurisdiction over our gaming operations in Macau and the Philippines to take action against us or our related licensees, including actions that could affect the ability or terms upon which our subsidiaries hold their gaming licenses and/or subconcession, our suitability to continue as a shareholder of those subsidiaries and/or the suitability of key personnel to remain with our Company. If any of these events were to occur, it would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our new branded products may not be successful.

In 2018, we launched our new property at City of Dreams under the Morpheus brand. We have also recently launched the Nüwa brand in both Macau and the Philippines and intend to rebrand The Countdown. We may continue introducing new brand names and brand identities in the future, which may be time-consuming and expensive, or may not have the intended effect, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The audit reports included in this annual report have been prepared by auditors whose work may not be inspected fully by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firms that issue the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and firms registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their respective compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards.

Many other clients of our auditors have substantial operations within mainland China, and the PCAOB has been unable to complete inspections of the work of our auditors, and/or their affiliated independent registered public accounting firms in mainland China, without the approval of the Chinese authorities. Thus, our auditors, and/or their affiliated independent registered public accounting firms in mainland China, and their audit work are not currently inspected fully by the PCAOB. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulation in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operation in China. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the problem.

Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside mainland China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which can be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in mainland China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audit procedures and quality control procedures as they relate to their work, and/or their affiliated independent registered public accounting firms’ work, in mainland China. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such regular inspections.

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The inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of auditors in mainland China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors’ audit procedures and quality control procedures as compared to auditors who primarily work in jurisdictions where the PCAOB has full inspection access. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Operations in Macau

Melco Resorts Macau’s Subconcession Contract expires in 2022 and if we were unable to secure an extension of its subconcession, or a new concession or subconcession, in 2022, or if the Macau government were to exercise its redemption right, we would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau.

The Subconcession Contract expires on June 26, 2022. Unless it is extended beyond this expiration date, a new concession or subconcession is granted and/or legislation on reversion of casino premises is amended, all of our casino premises and gaming-related equipment under Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession will automatically revert to the Macau government without compensation and we will cease to generate revenues from such operations. We cannot assure you that Melco Resorts Macau would be able to renew or extend the Subconcession Contract, or secure any new concession or subconcession, on terms favorable to us, or at all.

In addition, under the Subconcession Contract, the Macau government has the right, beginning from 2017, to redeem the Subconcession Contract by providing us with at least one year’s prior notice. In the event the Macau government exercises this redemption right, we would be entitled to compensation. Calculation of the amount of any such compensation would be determined based on the gross revenues generated by City of Dreams during the tax year immediately prior to the exercise of the redemption, multiplied by number of years of the remaining term of the subconcession. We would not receive any further compensation (including for consideration paid to Wynn Macau for the subconcession). We cannot assure you that if Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession were redeemed, the compensation paid would be adequate to compensate us for the loss of future revenues.

Our business and operations in Macau are dependent upon our subconcession and, if we fail to comply with the complex legal and regulatory regime in Macau, our subconcession may be subject to revocation.

Under the terms of the Subconcession Contract, we are obligated to comply with all laws, regulations, rulings and orders promulgated by the Macau government from time to time. In addition, we must comply with all the terms of the Subconcession Contract which contains various general covenants and provisions, such as general and special duties of cooperation, special duties of information and obligations in relation to the execution of our investment plan, as to which the determination of compliance is subjective and depend, in part, on our ability to maintain continuing communications and good faith negotiations with the Macau government to ensure that we are performing our obligations under the subconcession in a manner that would avoid any violations. We cannot assure you that we will perform such covenants in a way that satisfies the requirements of the Macau government.

Under Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession, the Macau government is allowed to request various changes in the plans and specifications of our Macau properties and impose business and corporate requirements that may be binding on us. For example, the Macau Chief Executive has the right to require that we increase Melco Resorts Macau’s share capital or that we provide certain deposits or other guarantees of performance with respect to the obligations of our Macau subsidiaries. Melco Resorts Macau must also first obtain the Macau government’s approval before raising certain financing. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these requirements or any other requirements of the Macau government or with the other requirements and obligations imposed by the subconcession.

The harshest penalty that may be imposed on us for failure to comply with the complex legal and regulatory regime in Macau and the terms of the Subconcession Contract is revocation of the subconcession.

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Under the subconcession, the Macau government has the right to unilaterally terminate the subconcession in the event of non-compliance by Melco Resorts Macau with its basic obligations under the subconcession and applicable Macau laws. If such a termination were to occur, all of our casino premises and gaming equipment would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation to us and Melco Resorts Macau would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could result in defaults under our indebtedness agreements and a partial or complete loss of our investments in our projects. We would also be unable to recover the US$900 million consideration paid to Wynn Macau for the issue of the subconcession. For a list of termination events, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Gaming Licenses — The Subconcession Contract in Macau.” These events could lead to the termination of Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession without compensation to Melco Resorts Macau. In many of these instances, the Subconcession Contract does not provide for a specific cure period within which any such events may be cured and the granting of any cure period, if at all, would be at the discretion of the Macau government.

Currently, there is no precedent on how the Macau government will treat the termination of a concession or subconcession and many of the laws and regulations relating to termination of a concession or subconcession have not yet been applied by the Macau government. Accordingly, the scope and enforcement of the provisions of Macau’s gaming regulatory system cannot be fully assessed.

Studio City faces significant risks and uncertainties which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Studio City commenced operations in October 2015. While we have made significant capital investments for the development of Studio City, the Studio City land grant conditions, including, among others, completing the development of the land on which Studio City is located, require additional capital investments for Studio City.

Furthermore, Studio City operates in a challenging competitive environment. For example, some of our competitors in Macau have expanded operations or have announced intentions for further expansion and developments in Cotai, where Studio City is located. See “— We face intense competition in Macau, the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia and may not be able to compete successfully.” Moreover, we face risks and uncertainties related to changes to the Chinese and Macau governments’ policies and regulations relating to gaming markets, including those affecting gaming table allocation and caps, smoking restrictions, exchange control and repatriation of capital, measures to control inflation and monetary transfers and travel restrictions.

In addition, VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino, which were introduced in early November 2016, are expected to cease on January 15, 2020. There is no assurance or expectation that any additional gaming tables will be allocated to Studio City Casino, including any VIP gaming tables.

In addition, Studio City may find it challenging to comply with the terms imposed under its financing arrangements, especially during periods of challenging market conditions (including changes in China’s economy). The 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the Studio City Notes impose certain operating and financial restrictions, including limitations on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt, make investments, create liens on assets or issue preferred stock. If we are unable to comply with such restrictions, it could cause repayment of our debt to be accelerated. In addition, such terms may also impair our ability to obtain additional financing for developing and completing the remaining project for the land of Studio City by July 24, 2021, in which case in the event no extension is granted to complete such development or the Studio City land concession is terminated, we could lose all or substantially all of our investment in Studio City, including our interest in land and building and we may not be able to continue to operate Studio City. See “— The agreements governing our credit facilities and debt instruments contain certain covenants that restrict our ability to engage in certain transactions and may impair our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions or otherwise take actions that may be in our best interests” and “We

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are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession contract which require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by July 24, 2021. If we do not complete development by that time and the Macau government does not grant us an extension of the development period, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the buildings and structures on such land.”

All of the foregoing trends, risks and uncertainties may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our gaming operations in Macau could be adversely affected by restrictions on the export of the Renminbi and any unfavorable fluctuations in the currency exchange rates of the Renminbi.

Gaming operators in Macau are currently prohibited from accepting wagers in Renminbi, the currency of China. There are currently restrictions on the export of the Renminbi outside of mainland China, including to Macau. For example, Chinese citizens traveling abroad are only allowed to take a total of RMB20,000 plus the equivalent of up to US$5,000 out of China. The annual limit of RMB100,000 (US$14,544) is the aggregate amount that can be withdrawn overseas from Chinese bank accounts and it was set by the Chinese government, with effect on January 1, 2018. In addition, the Chinese government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign has led to tighter monetary transfer regulations, including real-time monitoring of certain financial channels, reducing the amount that China-issued ATM cardholders can withdraw in each withdrawal, imposing a limit on the annual aggregate amount that may be withdrawn and the launch of facial recognition and identity card checks with respect to certain ATM users, which could disrupt the amount of money visitors can bring from mainland China to Macau. Furthermore, a law with respect to the control of cross-border transportation of cash and other negotiable instruments to the bearer was enacted and came into effect on November 1, 2017. In accordance with such law, all individuals entering Macau with an amount in cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer equal to or higher than the amount of MOP120,000 (US$14,876) as determined by the Chief Executive of Macau are required to declare such amount to the customs authorities. Restrictions on the export of the Renminbi may impede the flow of gaming customers from China to Macau, inhibit the growth of gaming in Macau and negatively impact our operations.

In addition, the value of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and may be affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. In 2018, the value of RMB depreciated approximately 5.4% against the U.S. dollar. It remains difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy, including the ongoing trade disputes between the PRC and the US governments may further exacerbate the devaluation of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies in the future. Given that most of our properties are located in Macau and a significant number of our gaming customers come from, and are expected to continue to come from, mainland China, any further devaluation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may affect the visitation and level of spending of these gaming customers and could in turn have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition.

Adverse changes or developments in gaming laws or other regulations in Macau that affect our operations could be difficult to comply with or may significantly increase our costs, which could cause our projects to be unsuccessful.

Current laws in Macau, such as licensing requirements, tax rates and other regulatory obligations, including those for anti-money laundering, could change or become more stringent resulting in additional regulations being imposed upon gaming operations in Macau. See “— The gaming industries in Macau and the Philippines are highly regulated.”

In September 2009, the Macau government set a cap on commission payments to gaming promoters of 1.25% of net rolling. This policy may limit our ability to develop successful relationships with gaming promoters

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and attract VIP rolling chip players, which in turn may adversely affect the financial performance of our VIP rolling chip operations. Any failure to comply with these regulations may result in the imposition of liabilities, fines and other penalties and may materially and adversely affect our subconcession. The Macau government is currently considering amending the Macau Administrative Regulation no. 6/2002, as amended by the Administrative Regulation 27/2009. The Macau government is, among other things, proposing more stringent and restrictive licensing requirements for gaming promoters, the imposition of new penalties and the increase of the amounts of current fines. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Macau Regulations — Gaming Promoters Regulations.” Increased regulatory scrutiny of gaming promoters in Macau has resulted, and may continue to result, in the cessation of business of certain gaming promoters, thereby resulting in remaining gaming promoters having significant leverage and bargaining strength in negotiating agreements, including negotiating changes to existing agreements, or the loss of business to competitors or the loss of relationships with certain gaming promoters.

In addition, the Macau government imposed regulations and restrictions that affect the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau, location requirements for sites with gaming machine lounges, data privacy and other matters. Any such legislation, regulation or restriction imposed by the Macau government may have a material adverse impact on our operations, business and financial performance. Furthermore, our inability to address any of these requirements or restrictions imposed by the Macau government could adversely affect our reputation and result in criminal or administrative penalties, in addition to any civil liability and other expenses. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Macau Regulations — Gaming Regulations.”

Also, starting from January 1, 2019, smoking on the premises of casinos is only permitted in authorized segregated smoking lounges with no gaming activities, and such segregated smoking lounges are required to meet certain standards determined by the Macau government. Our properties currently have a number of segregated smoking lounges. We cannot assure you that the Macau government will not enact more stringent smoking control legislations. Such limitations imposed on smoking have and may deter potential gaming patrons who are smokers from frequenting casinos in Macau, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulations — Macau Regulations — Smoking Regulations.”

Furthermore, in March 2010, the Macau government announced that the number of gaming tables operating in Macau should not exceed 5,500 until the end of the first quarter of 2013. On September 19, 2011, the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau government announced that for a period of ten years thereafter, the total number of gaming tables to be authorized in Macau will increase by an amount equal to an average 3% per annum for ten years. The Macau government subsequently clarified that the allocation of tables over this ten-year period does not need to be uniform and tables may be pre-allocated to new properties in Macau. There is no assurance that we will be allocated any new gaming tables authorized by the Macau government, including in connection with the expansion of any existing properties or for any new properties we may develop in Macau.

The Macau government has also determined that tables authorized by the Macau government for mass market gaming operations may not be utilized for VIP gaming operations. These restrictions are not legislated or enacted into statutes or ordinances and, as such, different policies, including in relation to the annual increase rate in the number of gaming tables, may be adopted, and existing policies amended, at any time by the relevant Macau government authorities.

Current Macau laws and regulations concerning gaming and gaming concessions and matters such as prevention of money laundering are fairly recent or there is little precedent on the interpretation of these laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are complex and a court or an administrative or regulatory body may in the future render an interpretation of these laws and regulations or issue new or modified regulations that differ from our interpretation, which could have a material adverse effect on the operation of our properties and on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

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Our activities in Macau are subject to administrative review and approval by various departments of the Macau government. For example, our business activities are subject to the administrative review and approval by the DICJ, Macau health department, Macau labor bureau, Macau public works bureau, Macau fire department, Macau finance department and Macau government tourism office. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary approvals, which may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Macau law permits redress to the courts with respect to administrative actions. However, such redress is largely untested in relation to gaming regulatory issues.

The Macau government has established a maximum number of gaming tables that may be operated in Macau and may limit the number of new gaming tables at new gaming areas in Macau.

The Macau government has imposed a cap on gaming tables and restricts the number of gaming tables that may be operated in Macau. A cap of 5,500 tables up to the end of the first quarter of 2013 was implemented. In addition, for a period of ten years commencing from the second quarter of 2013, the number of gaming tables to be authorized by the Macau government will be limited to an average annual increase of 3%. According to the DICJ, the number of gaming tables in Macau as of December 31, 2018, was 6,588. The Macau government has reiterated further that it does not intend to authorize the operation of any new casino or gaming area that was not previously authorized by the government, or permit tables authorized for mass market gaming operations to be utilized for VIP gaming operations or authorize the expansion of existing casinos or gaming areas. Given such announcements by the Macau government, we may not be able to obtain Macau government’s approval to expand our existing casinos or gaming areas or operate a sufficient number of gaming tables at our properties in Macau. These restrictions may have a material impact on our gaming revenues, overall business and operations and may adversely affect our development projects and the future expansion of our business.

Melco Resorts Macau’s tax exemption from complementary tax on income from gaming operations under the subconcession tax will expire in 2021, and we may not be able to extend it.

Companies in Macau are subject to complementary tax of up to 12% of taxable income, as defined in relevant tax laws. We are also subject to a 35% special gaming tax on our gaming revenues as well as other levies of 4% imposed under the Subconcession Contract. Such other levies may be subject to change in the event the Subconcession Contract is renegotiated and as a result of any change in relevant laws. The Macau government granted to Melco Resorts Macau the benefit of a corporate tax holiday on gaming profits in Macau until 2021. In addition, the Macau government has granted to one of our subsidiaries in Macau the complementary tax exemption until 2021 on profits generated from income received from Melco Resorts Macau, to the extent that such income is derived from Studio City gaming operations and has been subject to gaming tax. The dividend distributions of such subsidiary to its shareholders continue to be subject to complementary tax. We cannot assure you that the corporate tax holiday benefits will be extended beyond their expiration dates.

During the five-year period from 2012 through 2016, an annual payment of MOP22.4 million (equivalent to approximately US$2.8 million) was payable by Melco Resorts Macau, effective retroactively from 2012 through 2016, with respect to tax due for dividend distributions to the shareholders of Melco Resorts Macau from gaming profits, whether such dividends are actually distributed by Melco Resorts Macau or not, or whether Melco Resorts Macau has distributable profits in the relevant year. For the five-year period from 2017 through 2021, the annual payment payable by Melco Resorts Macau is of MOP18.9 million (equivalent to approximately US$2.3 million). Upon the payment of such payment amount, the shareholders of Melco Resorts Macau will not be liable to pay any other tax in Macau for dividend distributions received from gaming profits. We cannot assure you that the same arrangement will be applied beyond 2021 or that, in the event a similar arrangement is adopted, whether we will be required to pay a higher annual sum.

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Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Business in the Philippines

The land and buildings comprising the site occupied by City of Dreams Manila is leased by Melco Resorts Leisure and thus subject to risks associated with tenancy relationships.

Melco Resorts Leisure entered into a lease agreement on October 25, 2012, which became effective on March 13, 2013 (“Lease Agreement”), pursuant to which it leases from Belle Corporation the land and buildings occupied by City of Dreams Manila, which, in turn, leases part of the land from the Philippine government’s social security system (the “Social Security System”). Numerous potential issues or causes for disputes may arise from a tenancy relationship, such as with respect to the provision of utilities on the premises, rental lease payments, or any adjustments thereto, and the maintenance and normal repair of the buildings, any of which could result in an arbitrable dispute between Belle Corporation and Melco Resorts Leisure. There can be no assurance that any such dispute would be resolved or settled amicably or expediently or that Melco Resorts Leisure will not encounter any material issues with respect to its tenancy relationship with Belle Corporation. Furthermore, during the pendency of any dispute, Belle Corporation, as lessor, could discontinue essential services necessary for the operation of City of Dreams Manila, or seek relief to oust Melco Resorts Leisure from possession of the leased premises. Any prolonged or substantial dispute between Belle Corporation and Melco Resorts Leisure, or any dispute arising under the lease agreement between Belle Corporation and the Social Security System, could have a material adverse effect on the operations of City of Dreams Manila, which would in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any negative publicity arising from disputes with, or non-compliance by, Belle Corporation with the Lease Agreement would have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, the Lease Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including Melco Resorts Leisure’s non-payment of rent, or if either party fails to substantially perform any material covenants under the Lease Agreement and fails to remedy such non-performance in a timely manner, which would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If the termination of certain agreements which Belle Corporation previously entered into with another casino operator and other third parties is not effective, such operator and third parties may seek to enforce these agreements against Belle Corporation or MRP as a co-licensee of Belle Corporation, which could adversely impact City of Dreams Manila and MRP.

Prior to Melco Resorts Leisure being designated as the sole operator under the Provisional License, Belle Corporation, for itself and on behalf of the other Philippine Parties, had previously entered into contracts with another operator and certain third-party contractors for the fit-out and other design work related to City of Dreams Manila in its previous form. Belle Corporation and the other Philippine Parties subsequently elected to terminate such contracts and the operator with whom Belle Corporation previously contracted, on behalf of itself and such third-party contractors, signed a waiver releasing the Philippine Parties from all obligations thereunder. Although Belle Corporation agreed to indemnify the Melco Philippine Parties from any loss suffered in connection with the termination of such contracts, there can be no assurance that Belle Corporation will honor such agreement. Any issues which may arise from such contracts and their counterparties, or any attempt by another operator or any other third party contractor to enforce provisions under such contracts, could interfere with MRP’s operations or cause reputational damage, which would in turn materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Compliance with the terms of the Regular License, MRP’s ability to operate City of Dreams Manila and the success of City of Dreams Manila as a whole are dependent on the actions of the other Philippine Licensees over which MRP has no control.

Although Melco Resorts Leisure is the sole operator of City of Dreams Manila, the ability of the Melco Philippine Parties to operate City of Dreams Manila, as well as the fulfillment of the terms of the Regular License granted by PAGCOR in relation to City of Dreams Manila, depends to a certain degree on the actions of

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the Philippine Parties. For example, the Philippine Parties, as well as the Melco Philippine Parties, are responsible for meeting a certain debt to equity ratio as specified in the Regular License. The failure of any of the Philippine Parties to comply with these conditions would constitute a breach of the Regular License. As the Philippine Parties are separate corporate entities over which MRP has no control, there can be no assurance that the Philippine Parties will remain in compliance with the terms of the Regular License of their obligations and responsibilities under the Philippine Cooperation Agreement. In the event of any non-compliance, there can be no assurance that the Regular License will not be suspended or revoked. In addition, if any of the Philippine Parties fails to comply with any of the conditions to the Regular License, MRP may be forced to take action against the Philippine Parties under the Philippine Cooperation Agreement or to enter into negotiations with PAGCOR for amendments to the Regular License. There can be no assurance that any attempt to amend the Regular License would be successful. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, under the Philippine Cooperation Agreement, the Philippine Parties are required to contribute the land and building structures for City of Dreams Manila. There can be no assurance that the title to the land and building structures for City of Dreams Manila will not be challenged by third parties or the Philippine government in the future. Any such event, each of which is beyond MRP’s control, may curtail the ability of MRP to operate City of Dreams Manila in an efficient manner or at all and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Melco Resorts Leisure’s right to operate City of Dreams Manila is subject to certain limitations.

Melco Resorts Leisure’s right to operate City of Dreams Manila is subject to certain limitations under the operating agreement for the management and operation of City of Dreams Manila, entered into among Melco Resorts Leisure and the Philippine Parties. For example, Melco Resorts Leisure is prohibited from entering into any contract for City of Dreams Manila outside the ordinary course of the operation and management of City of Dreams Manila with an aggregate contract value exceeding US$3.0 million (such contract value to be increased by 5.0% each year on each anniversary date of the operating agreement) without the consent of the other Philippine Licensees. In addition, Melco Resorts Leisure is required to remit specified percentages of the mass market and VIP gaming earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization or net revenues derived from City of Dreams Manila to PremiumLeisure and Amusement Inc. (“PLAI”).

If Melco Resorts Leisure is unable to comply with any of the provisions of the operating agreement, the other parties to the operating agreement may bring lawsuits and seek to suspend or replace Melco Resorts Leisure as the sole operator of City of Dreams Manila, or terminate the operating agreement. Moreover, the Philippine Parties may terminate the operating agreement if Melco Resorts Leisure materially breaches the operating agreement. Termination of the operating agreement, whether resulting from Melco Resorts Leisure’s or the Philippine Parties’ non-compliance with the operating agreement, would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Melco Resorts Leisure may be forced to suspend VIP gaming operations at City of Dreams Manila under certain circumstances.

Under the operating agreement for City of Dreams Manila, Melco Resorts Leisure must periodically calculate, on a 24-month basis, the respective amounts of VIP gaming earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization derived from City of Dreams Manila (the “PLAI VIP EBITDA”) and VIP gaming net win derived from City of Dreams Manila pursuant to the operating agreement (the “PLAI VIP Net Win”) and report such amounts to the Philippine Parties. If the PLAI VIP EBITDA is less than the PLAI VIP Net Win, the Philippine Licensees must meet within ten business days to discuss and review City of Dreams Manila’s financial performance and agree on any changes to be made to the business operations of City of Dreams Manila and/or to the payment terms under the operating agreement. If such an agreement cannot be reached within 90 business days, Melco Resorts Leisure must suspend VIP gaming operations at City of Dreams Manila.

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Any suspension of VIP gaming operations at City of Dreams Manila would materially adversely impact gaming revenues from City of Dreams Manila. Moreover, suspension of VIP gaming operations could effectively lead Melco Resorts Leisure to limit or suspend certain non-gaming operations focusing on VIP players, such as the VIP hotel and VIP lounge, which would further reduce revenues from City of Dreams Manila. Any suspension of VIP gaming operations, even for a brief period of time, could also damage the reputation and reduce the attractiveness of City of Dreams Manila as a premium gaming destination, particularly among premium direct players and other VIP players, as well as gaming promoters, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

MRP’s strategy to attract Premium Market customers to City of Dreams Manila may not be effective.

A part of MRP’s strategy for City of Dreams Manila is to capture a share of the premium gaming market in the region. Compared to general market patrons, whose typical wagers are relatively low, premium market patrons usually have higher minimum bets. Despite its targeted marketing efforts, there can be no assurance that the premium market customers will be incentivized to play in City of Dreams Manila rather than in comparable properties in Macau or elsewhere in the region, as these players may be unfamiliar with the Philippines or refuse to change their normal gaming destination. If MRP is unable to expand in the premium market as it intends, this would adversely affect its and/or our business and results of operations.

Changes in public acceptance of gaming in the Philippines may adversely affect City of Dreams Manila.

Public acceptance of gaming changes periodically in various gaming locations in the world and represents an inherent risk to the gaming industry. In addition, the Philippine Catholic Church, community groups, non-governmental organizations and individual government officials have, on occasion, taken strong and explicit stands against gaming. PAGCOR has in the past been subject to lawsuits by individuals trying to halt the construction of casinos in their communities. Church leaders have on occasion called for the abolition of PAGCOR. There can be no guarantee that negative sentiments will not be expressed in the future against City of Dreams Manila or integrated casino resorts in general, which may reduce the number of visitors to City of Dreams Manila and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

MRP may be unable to successfully register City of Dreams Manila as a tourism enterprise zone with the Philippine Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, an agency of the Philippine Department of Tourism (“TIEZA”).

While Melco Resorts Leisure intends to apply for a designation as a tourism enterprise with TIEZA, there can be no assurance that TIEZA will approve the designation of Melco Resorts Leisure as a tourism enterprise. If Melco Resorts Leisure is unable to register as a tourism enterprise with TIEZA, it will not be entitled to certain fiscal incentives provided to some of Melco Resorts Leisure’s competitors that are registered as tourism enterprises under TIEZA. For example, MRP’s liability for value added tax (“VAT”) on its sales largely depends on whether it may avail itself of tax incentives under TIEZA. If tax incentives under TIEZA are not available to MRP, it will be liable for VAT, which may result in a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition, if Melco Resorts Leisure is able to register as a tourism enterprise with TIEZA, it will then be required to withdraw its current registration as a tourism economic zone enterprise with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. The process of shifting from a tourism economic zone enterprise under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to a tourism enterprise under TIEZA is uncertain. There is also uncertainty with respect to the fiscal incentives that may be provided to a registered tourism enterprise under TIEZA. Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

However, several bills were previously passed and are currently pending in the Philippine legislature with a view towards rationalizing fiscal incentives currently granted to certain enterprises and activities,

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including tourism enterprises. It is uncertain whether these bills will be passed into law, or what the effect, if any, will be on the incentives currently granted to qualified tourism enterprises under the Republic Act No. 9593, of the Philippines, or the Tourism Act of 2009.

MRP’s gaming operations are dependent on the Regular License issued by PAGCOR.

PAGCOR regulates all gaming activities in the Philippines except for lottery, sweepstakes, jueteng, horse racing and gaming inside the Cagayan Export Zone. City of Dreams Manila’s gaming areas may only legally operate under the Regular License granted by PAGCOR, which imposes certain requirements on the Melco Philippine Parties and their service providers. The Regular License is also subject to suspension or termination upon the occurrence of certain events. The requirements imposed by the Regular License include, among others:

Moreover, certain provisions and requirements of the Regular License are open to different interpretations and have not been interpreted by Philippine courts or made subject to more detailed interpretative rules. There is no guarantee that the Melco Philippine Parties’ proposed mode of compliance with these or other requirements of the Regular License will be free from administrative or judicial scrutiny in the future. Any difference in interpretation between PAGCOR and MRP with respect to the Regular License could result in sanctions against the Melco Philippine Parties, including fines or other penalties, such as suspension or termination of the Regular License.

There can be no assurance that the Philippine Licensees will be able to continuously comply with all of the Regular License’s requirements, or that the Regular License will not be modified to contain more onerous terms or amended in such a manner that would cause the Philippine Licensees to lose interest in the operation of City of Dreams Manila. If the Regular License is materially altered or revoked for any reason, including the failure by any of the Philippine Licensees to comply with its terms, MRP may be required to cease City of Dreams Manila’s gaming operations, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, a failure in the internal control systems of MRP may cause PAGCOR to adversely modify or revoke the Regular License. Finally, the Regular License will terminate in 2033, coinciding with the PAGCOR Charter’s termination, and there is no guarantee that the PAGCOR Charter or the Regular License will be renewed.

In addition, City of Dreams Manila’s gaming operations is highly regulated in the Philippines. As PAGCOR is also a gaming operator, there can be no assurance that PAGCOR will not withhold certain approvals from the Melco Philippine Parties in order to favor its own gaming operations. PAGCOR may also modify or impose additional conditions on its licensees or impose restrictions or limitations on Melco Resorts Leisure’s casino operations that would interfere with Melco Resorts Leisure’s ability to provide VIP services, which could adversely affect MRP’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

City of Dreams Manila may be required to obtain an additional legislative franchise, in addition to its Regular License.

On August 2, 2017, House Bill No. 6111 was passed which proposed the creation of the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Authority, or PAGA, which will replace PAGCOR as the regulatory agency of gaming

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activities in the Philippines. Also under House Bill No. 6111, the holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including the Philippine Licensees, will be required to obtain from the Philippine Congress a legislative franchise to operate gambling casinos, gaming clubs and other similar gambling enterprises within one year from the date of the proposed law’s effectiveness. Non-compliance will result in the operations of holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including the Philippine Licensees, to be considered as illegal. On October 2, 2017, House Bill No. 6514 was passed whose provisions are essentially similar to House Bill No. 6111, particularly on the need for holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including the Philippine Licensees, to obtain from the Philippine Congress a legislative franchise within one year from the date of the proposed law’s effectiveness.

It is not yet known if House Bills 6111 and 6514, in their current form, will be approved by the Senate or signed into law by the President. In the event that House Bills 6111 and 6514 are signed into law, City of Dreams Manila may be required to obtain an additional legislative franchise in addition to its Regular License and there can be no assurance that such a franchise, which generally requires legislative approval after public hearings, will be granted. In addition, the Regular License may be subject to amendment or repeal by the Philippine Congress. In the event City of Dreams Manila is not granted any required franchise, or the Regular License is materially amended or repealed, the operation of City of Dreams Manila may cease, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There exists uncertainty over whether holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including the gaming operations of our Philippine subsidiaries, will be subject to corporate income, value added or other tax assessments, in addition to the license fees paid to PAGCOR.

There exists uncertainty over whether holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including the gaming operations of our Philippine subsidiaries, will be subject to corporate income tax at the rate of 30%, value-added tax and other tax assessments in addition to the license fees paid to PAGCOR pursuant to the Regular License. On March 2011, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued an order implicitly revoking PAGCOR’s exemption from corporate income tax under the PAGCOR Charter and removing PAGCOR from the list of government-owned and controlled corporations that are exempt from paying corporate income tax. Subsequently, in April 2013, the Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Philippines (“BIR”) issued a circular indicating that PAGCOR and its licensees and contractees are subject to corporate income tax on their gambling, casino, gaming club and other similar recreation or amusement and gaming pool operations.

In connection with the 2011 Supreme Court decision described above, PAGCOR, in May 2014, issued a regulation allowing holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines and the other casino operators to reallocate ten percent (10%) of the monthly license fees to be remitted to PAGCOR. This 10% would be used to pay any corporate income tax that may be levied against such license holders and the other casino operators at the end of the fiscal year, and any remaining amount after paying such tax would be remitted to PAGCOR. On August 15, 2016, PAGCOR advised the holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines that the reallocation of the 10% of the license fees will be discontinued. In February 2015, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued another decision stating that PAGCOR’s income from its gaming operations can only be subject to a five percent (5%) franchise tax, and not corporate income tax. In addition, the Supreme Court of the Philippines in its February 2015 decision ruled that despite amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code, the PAGCOR Charter remains in effect, and thus, income from gaming operations shall not be subject to corporate income tax. In August 2016, the Supreme Court of the Philippines accepted the petition filed by Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Inc., one of the four PAGCOR licensees and operator of Solaire, against the BIR to cease and desist from imposing corporate income tax on income derived from gaming operations. The BIR filed a motion for reconsideration of the August 2016 decision, which the Supreme Court of the Philippines denied in November 2016, and which denial has become final and executory.

Notwithstanding the 2015 and 2016 Supreme Court decisions and the subsequent developments described above, BIR has taken various measures to impose corporate income, value added and other taxes on income derived from gaming operations in the Philippines. In light of the actions and positions taken by BIR, it is

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uncertain whether the 2015 and 2016 Supreme Court decision described above would be enforced and there is no assurance that the 2016 Supreme Court decision would be applicable to holders of gaming licenses in the Philippines, including our Philippine subsidiaries. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the gaming operations of our Philippine subsidiaries would not become subject to value added and other tax assessments imposed by BIR and other Philippine authorities. Any assessment of corporate income, value added or other taxes on the gaming operations of our Philippine subsidiaries may be significant in amount and any requirement to pay such taxes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On December 19, 2017, Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (“TRAIN”), was signed into law and took effect on January 1, 2018. The TRAIN changed existing tax laws and included several provisions that will generally affect businesses on a prospective basis. Any future amendment on the TRAIN, such as changes on the application of value added and corporate income taxes, as they apply to PAGCOR or the casinos, may have significant impact on our business.

The Philippine Licensees may further be subject to other forms of taxes that may be implemented by the Philippine government in the future.

MRP is exposed to risks in relation to MRP’s previous business activities and industry.

Prior to our acquisition of MRP, MRP’s primary business was the manufacture and processing of pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceuticals industry is highly regulated in the Philippines and abroad. There can be no assurance that MRP will not be involved in or subject to claims, allegations or suits with respect to its previous activities in the pharmaceutical industry for which MRP may not be insured fully or at all. Although MRP has indemnities as to certain liabilities or claims or other protections put in place, any adverse claim or liability imputed to MRP with respect to its previous business activities could have a material adverse effect on its business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our Philippine operations may be adversely affected by policy changes in the Philippines.

Our Philippine operations may be adversely affected by changes in policies due to changes in government personnel in the Philippines, including but not limited to any changes following elections in the Philippines. There can be no assurance that newly elected or appointed officials will not modify previous policies in relation to the development and operation of integrated tourism resorts in the Philippines, tax incentives extended to their developers or operators or policies on gaming and tourism in the Philippines in general. Newly elected or appointed officials may also impose more stringent or additional conditions on gaming licenses or seek to discourage Philippine citizens from gambling by imposing restrictions. We are unable to predict whether new officials will seek to further alter or impose stricter conditions relating to gaming in the Philippines. Adverse changes in policies and regulations by the current administration or any officials elected or appointed in the future in the Philippines could disrupt the operations of our Philippine subsidiaries and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure and Ownership

Our controlling shareholder has a substantial influence over us, and its interests in our business may be different than yours. We have had, and may continue to have, transactions with our controlling shareholder and its affiliates and such transactions may create conflicts of interest between us and our controlling shareholder.

As of March 27, 2019, Melco International’s beneficial ownership in our Company was approximately 54.05%. There are risks associated with the possibility that Melco International may: (i) have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours; (ii) have operations and projects elsewhere in Asia or other countries that compete with our businesses in Macau and the Philippines and for available resources and

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management attention; (iii) take actions contrary to our policies or objectives; or (iv) have financial difficulties. In addition, there is no assurance that the laws and regulations relating to foreign investment in Melco International’s governing jurisdictions will not be altered in such a manner as to result in a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

In addition, Melco International has the power, among other things, to elect or appoint all of the directors to our board, including our independent directors, appoint and change our management, affect our legal and capital structure and our day-to-day operations, approve material mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and other business combinations and approve any other material transactions and financings. These actions may be taken in many cases without the approval of other shareholders and the interests of Melco International may conflict with your interests as minority shareholders. We have entered into various related party transactions with Melco International and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including without limitation the arrangements to provide planning, designing, construction and other services to Melco International and its subsidiaries in connection with the City of Dreams Mediterranean project. We may enter into additional agreements and arrangements with Melco International or its affiliates or subsidiaries in connection with the City of Dreams Mediterranean project or other projects. We may also purchase, acquire or invest in assets, companies or projects held or sponsored by Melco International or its affiliates or subsidiaries. The consideration or amount of such purchase, acquisition or investment may be material or significant. While we believe the terms of agreements and arrangements we have with Melco International or its affiliates or subsidiaries are commercially reasonable, the determination of such commercial terms are subject to judgment and estimates and we may have obtained different terms had we entered into such agreements or arrangements with independent third parties.

Melco International may pursue additional casino projects in Asia or elsewhere, which, along with its current operations, may compete with our projects in Macau and the Philippines, which could have material adverse consequences to us and the interests of our minority shareholders.

Melco International may take action to construct and operate new gaming projects located in other countries in the Asian region or elsewhere, which, along with its current operations, may compete with our projects in Macau and the Philippines and could have adverse consequences to us and the interests of our minority shareholders. We could face competition from these other gaming projects as well as competition from regional competitors. We expect to continue to receive significant support from Melco International in terms of its local experience, operating skills, international experience and high standards. Should Melco International decide to focus more attention on casino gaming projects located in other areas of Asia or elsewhere that may be expanding or commencing their gaming industries, or should economic conditions or other factors result in a significant decrease in gaming revenues and number of patrons in Macau and/or the Philippines, Melco International may make strategic decisions to focus on their other projects rather than us, which could adversely affect our growth.

Casinos and integrated gaming resorts are becoming increasingly popular in Asia, giving rise to more opportunities for industry participants and increasing regional competition. We cannot guarantee you that Melco International will make strategic and other decisions which do not adversely affect our business.

Changes in our share ownership, including a change of control of our subsidiaries’ shares, could result in our subsidiaries’ inability to draw loans or cause events of default under our subsidiaries’ indebtedness, or could require our subsidiaries to prepay or make offers to repurchase certain indebtedness.

Credit facility agreements relating to certain of our indebtedness contain change of control provisions, including in respect of our obligations relating to our control and/or ownership of certain of our subsidiaries and their assets. Under the terms of such credit facility agreements, the occurrence of certain change of control events, including a decline below certain thresholds in the aggregate direct or indirect shareholdings of certain of our subsidiaries held by us and/or Melco International or certain of our subsidiaries (as the case may be) may result in an event of default and/or a requirement to prepay the credit facilities in relation to such indebtedness in

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full. Other applicable change of control events under the credit facility agreements include the Company ceasing to be publicly listed on certain designated stock exchanges or steps being taken in connection with the liquidation or dissolution of certain of our subsidiaries.

The terms of the Studio City Notes and 2017 Senior Notes also contain change of control provisions whereby the occurrence of a relevant change of control event will require us to offer to repurchase the Studio City Notes or 2017 Senior Notes (as the case may be) (and, in the case of a change of control event under the 2017 Senior Notes, which is accompanied by a ratings decline) at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and, if any, additional amounts and other amount specified under such indebtedness to the date of repurchase.

Any occurrence of these events could be outside our control and could result in events of default and cross-defaults which may cause the termination and acceleration of our credit facilities, the Studio City Notes and 2017 Senior Notes and potential enforcement of remedies by our lenders or note holders (as the case may be), which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Financing and Indebtedness

Our current, projected and potential future indebtedness could impair our financial condition, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our significant leverage.

We have incurred and expect to incur, based on current budgets and estimates, secured and unsecured long-term indebtedness.

Our major outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 includes:

In addition, on February 11, 2019, Studio City Finance issued senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$600.0 million, the net proceeds of which were partly used to pay the tendering noteholders from the 2012 Studio City Notes Tender Offer in February 2019, which amounted to US$216.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2012 Studio City Notes, and to redeem the remaining outstanding principal amount of the 2012 Studio City Notes in March 2019, which amounted to US$208.5 million in aggregate principal amount.

Our expected long-term indebtedness includes:

Our significant indebtedness could have material consequences. For example, it could:

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Any of these or other consequences or events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to satisfy our other obligations.

We may require additional financing to complete our investment projects, which may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all.

We have funded our capital investment projects through, among others, cash generated from our operations, credit facilities and the issuance of debt securities. We may require additional financing in the future for our capital investment projects, which we may raise through debt or equity financing. We may be required to obtain approval from, or consent of, or notify relevant government authorities or third parties in order to enter into such financings. There is no assurance that we would be able to obtain any required approval or consent from the relevant government authorities or third parties with respect to such financing in a timely manner or at all.

Any financing related to our capital investment projects may also be subject to, among others, the terms of credit facilities, the 2017 Senior Notes and the Studio City Notes and any future financings. In addition, our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms depends on a variety of factors that are beyond our control, including market conditions, investors’ and lenders’ perceptions of, and demand for, debt and equity securities of gaming companies, credit availability and interest rates. For example, changes in ratings outlooks may subject us to rating agency downgrades, which could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on acceptable terms. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing on terms satisfactory to us, or at all, to finance our capital investment projects. If we are unable to obtain such funding, our business, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We continue to explore opportunities and may, from time to time, seek to obtain new financings or refinance our outstanding debt through the international markets. Any such financing, and our evaluation thereof, will depend on the prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.

Our ability to make scheduled payments due on our existing and anticipated indebtedness obligations, including our credit facilities, the 2017 Senior Notes and Studio City Notes, to refinance and to fund working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash. We will require generation of sufficient operating cash flow from our projects to service our current and future

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projected indebtedness. Our ability to obtain cash to service our existing and projected debt is subject to a range of economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our existing and projected indebtedness obligations or our other liquidity needs, in which case we may have to seek additional borrowings or undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seek to raise additional capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Our ability to incur additional borrowings or refinance our indebtedness, including our credit facilities, the 2017 Senior Notes and Studio City Notes, will depend on the condition of the financing and capital markets, our financial condition at such time and potentially governmental approval. We cannot assure you that any additional borrowing, refinancing or restructuring would be possible or that any assets could be sold or, if sold, the timing of any sale or the amount of proceeds that would be realized from any such sale. We cannot assure you that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect, including the indentures governing the 2017 Senior Notes and Studio City Notes. In addition, any failure to make scheduled payments of interest or principal on our outstanding indebtedness would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which would harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our failure to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our existing and projected indebtedness obligations or other liquidity needs, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The agreements governing our credit facilities and debt instruments contain certain covenants that restrict our ability to engage in certain transactions and may impair our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions or otherwise take actions that may be in our best interests.

The agreements governing our credit facilities and debt instruments contain restrictions on our ability to engage in certain transactions and may limit our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions or otherwise take actions that may be in our best interests. These restrictions include, among other things, limitations on our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries or other members of our obligor group to:

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Certain of our credit facilities and debt instruments also require us to satisfy various financial covenants, which include requirements for minimum interest coverage ratio and leverage ratios. For more information on financial covenants we are subject to under our credit facilities and debt instruments, see note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Future indebtedness or other agreements may contain covenants more restrictive than those contained in our existing credit facilities and debt instruments.

In addition, certain of our credit facilities and debt instruments are secured by mortgages, assignment of land use rights, leases or equivalents, security over shares, charges over bank accounts, security over assets and other customary security over the assets of our Macau subsidiaries. In the event of a default under such credit facilities and debt instruments, the holders of such secured indebtedness would first be entitled to payment from their collateral security, and only then would holders of our Macau subsidiaries’ unsecured debt be entitled to payment from their remaining assets.

Our ability to comply with the terms of our outstanding credit facilities and debt instruments may be affected by general economic conditions, industry conditions and other events outside of our control. As a result, we may not be able to maintain compliance with these covenants. In addition, if our properties’ operations fail to generate adequate cash flow, we may violate these covenants, causing a default under our agreements, upon which creditors could terminate their commitments to lend to us, accelerate repayment of the debt and declare all amounts borrowed due and payable or terminate the agreements, as the case may be. Furthermore, our credit facilities and debt instruments contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions, as a result of which our default under one facility or instrument may cause the acceleration of repayment of debt or result in a default under our other facilities or instruments. If any of these events occur, we cannot assure you that our assets and cash flow would be sufficient to repay in full all of our indebtedness, or that we would be able to find alternative financing. Even if we do obtain alternative financing, we cannot assure you that it would be on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us.

Drawdown or rollover of advances under our credit facilities involve satisfaction of extensive conditions precedent and our failure to satisfy such conditions precedent will result in our inability to utilize or roll over loan advances under such facilities. There is no assurance that we will be able to satisfy all conditions precedent under our current or future credit facilities.

Our current and future credit facilities, including the 2015 Credit Facilities and the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, require and will require satisfaction of extensive conditions precedent prior to the

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advance or rollover of loans under such facilities. The satisfaction of such conditions precedent may involve actions of third parties and matters outside of our control, such as government consents and approvals. If there is a breach of any terms or conditions of our credit facilities or other obligations and the breach is not cured or capable of being cured, such conditions precedent will not be satisfied. The inability to draw down or roll over loan advances under any credit facility may result in a funding shortfall in our operations and we may not be able to fulfill our obligations as planned. Such events may also result in an event of default under the respective credit facility and may also trigger cross-defaults under our other indebtedness obligations. There can be no assurance that all conditions precedent to draw down or roll over loan advances under our credit facilities will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all. If we are unable to draw down or roll over loan advances under any current or future facility, we may have to find a new group of lenders and negotiate new financing terms or consider other financing alternatives. If required, it is possible that new financing would not be available or would have to be procured on substantially less attractive terms, which could harm the economic viability of the relevant development project. The need to arrange such alternative financing would likely also delay the construction and/or operations of our future projects or existing properties, which would affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.

Any inability to maintain current financing or obtain future financing could result in delays in our project development schedule and could impact our ability to generate revenues from operations at our present and future projects.

If we are unable to maintain our current financing arrangements or obtain suitable financing for our operations and our current or future projects (including any acquisitions we may make), such failure could adversely impact our existing operations, or cause delays in, or prevent completion of, the development of the remaining land for Studio City and any other future projects. In addition, such failure may also limit our ability to operate and expand our business and may adversely impact our ability to generate revenue. Furthermore, the costs incurred by any new financing may be greater than anticipated due to unfavorable market conditions. Any such increase in funding costs may have a negative impact on our revenue and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs

The trading price of our ADSs has been volatile since our ADSs began trading on Nasdaq and may be subject to fluctuations in the future, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Our ADSs were first quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, beginning on December 19, 2006, and were upgraded to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market since January 2, 2009. During the period from December 19, 2006 to March 27, 2019, the trading prices of our ADSs ranged from US$2.27 to US$45.70 per ADS and the closing sale price on March 27, 2019 was US$21.76 per ADS. The market price for our shares and ADSs may continue to be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors, including the following:

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In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot assure you that we will make dividend payments in the future.

On January 12, 2017, we announced a special dividend of approximately US$650 million. On February 8, 2018, we announced a quarterly dividend policy targeting to distribute quarterly cash dividends of US$0.045 per ordinary share of the Company (equivalent to US$0.135 per ADS). On July 24, 2018 and February 19, 2019, we further announced an amendment to our quarterly dividend policy targeting to distribute quarterly cash dividends of US$0.04835 per ordinary share of the Company (equivalent to US$0.14505 per ADS) and US$0.0517 per ordinary share of the Company (equivalent to US$0.1551 per ADS), respectively, subject to our ability to pay dividends from our accumulated and future earnings, cash availability and future commitments. We cannot assure you that we will make any dividend payments on our shares in the future. Dividend payments will depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial conditions, contractual restrictions and other factors considered relevant by our board. Except as permitted under the Companies Law, as amended, of the Cayman Islands, or the Companies Law, and the common law of the Cayman Islands, we are not permitted to distribute dividends unless we have a profit, realized or unrealized, or a reserve set aside from profits which our directors determine is no longer needed. Our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries, to pay dividends is further subject to restrictive covenants contained in the 2015 Credit Facilities, Studio City Notes, 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility and other agreements governing indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Such restrictive covenants contained in the 2015 Credit Facilities include satisfaction of certain financial tests and conditions such as continued compliance with specified interest cover, cash cover and leverage ratios. The Studio City Notes and 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility also contain certain covenants restricting payment of dividends by Studio City Finance (under the 2019 Studio City Notes) and Studio City Investments (under the 2016 Studio City Notes

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and 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility) and their respective subsidiaries, respectively. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Indebtedness.”

Substantial sales or perceived sales of our shares or ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs and shares to decline.

Sales of our ADSs or shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our shares and ADSs to decline. There is no assurance that Melco International will not sell all or a part of its ownership interest in us. Any sale of their interest may be subject to volume and other restrictions, as applicable, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act. To the extent these or other shares are sold into the market, the market price of our shares and ADSs could decline. The ADSs represent interests in our shares. We would, subject to market forces, expect there to be a close correlation in the price of our ADSs and the price of the shares and any factors contributing to a decline in one market is likely to result to a similar decline in another.

In addition, Melco International has the right to cause us to register the sale of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming eligible for deposit in exchange for freely tradable ADSs without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. Sales of these registered shares in the public market could cause the price of our share and ADSs to decline.

Any decision by us to issue or raise further equity, which would result in dilution to existing shareholders, could cause the price of our ADSs and shares to decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our ADSs, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ADSs depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our Company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our ADSs.

Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.

Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in Greater China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.

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It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming, and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in our ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.

Holders of ADSs have fewer rights than shareholders and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares of the depositary and in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw ordinary shares represented by your ADSs to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. The depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to convene a shareholder meeting.

You may be subject to limitations on transfers of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we deem or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings, and you may not receive cash dividends if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act, or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its

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fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is unlawful, inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property and you will not receive such distribution.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, you may have less protection for your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. public company. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “Item 10. Additional Information — B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Differences in Corporate Law.”

You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. All of our current operations, and administrative and corporate functions are conducted in Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines. In addition, substantially all of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in Cayman Islands, Macau, Hong Kong and Philippine courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, Macau, Hong Kong or the Philippines would

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recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, it is uncertain whether such Cayman Islands, Macau, Hong Kong or the Philippine courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, Macau, Hong Kong or the Philippines against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

Based on the current market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares, and the composition of our income, assets and operations, we do not believe we were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for our taxable year ended December 31, 2018. However, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects, and we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares, a significant decrease in the market price of the ADSs and ordinary shares may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, changes in the composition of our income or assets may cause us to become a PFIC. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation”) holds an ADS or ordinary share, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. For example, such U.S. Holder may incur a significantly increased U.S. federal income tax liability on the receipt of certain distributions on our ADSs or ordinary shares or on any gain recognized from a sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, and will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. See “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

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A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

Our Company was incorporated in December 2004 as an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our subsidiary Melco Resorts Macau is one of six companies licensed, through concession or subconcession, to operate casinos in Macau. For more information on our corporate structure, see “— C. Organizational Structure.”

In December 2006, we completed the initial public offering of our ADSs, each of which represents three ordinary shares, and listed our ADSs on the Nasdaq under the symbol “MPEL.”

In May 2008, we changed our name from Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Limited to Melco Crown Entertainment Limited.

In January 2009, we were upgraded to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

On July 27, 2011, we acquired a 60% equity interest in SCI, the developer of Studio City. Studio City is a large-scale cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort developed in Macau.

On December 19, 2012, we completed the acquisition of a majority interest in the issued share capital of MRP, a company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Following the completion of our acquisition of MRP, we transferred our 100% equity interest in Melco Resorts Leisure to MRP in March 2013. Melco Resorts Leisure has been granted the exclusive right to manage, operate and control our Philippines integrated casino resort project, City of Dreams Manila.

In May 2016, we repurchased 155 million ordinary shares from Crown Asia Investments. Following completion of the repurchase with cancelation of such shares and certain changes in the composition of our board of directors, Melco International became our single largest shareholder and we were thereafter treated as a subsidiary of Melco International.

In February 2017, the Melco Acquisition closed, upon which Melco International became our sole majority shareholder.

In March 2017, our name change from Melco Crown Entertainment Limited to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited became effective.

In April 2017, our Nasdaq ticker symbol changed from “MPEL” to “MLCO.”

In May 2017, we issued and sold 27,769,248 ADSs (equivalent to 83,307,744 ordinary shares) and 81,995,799 ordinary shares and also repurchased 165,303,544 ordinary shares from Crown Asia Investments for the aggregate purchase price of US$1.2 billion, and such repurchased shares were subsequently canceled by us.

In October 2018, SCI completed its initial public offering of 28,750,000 SC ADSs (equivalent to 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of SCI), of which 15,330,000 SC ADSs were purchased by our subsidiary, MCO Cotai Investments Limited. In November 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full to purchase an additional 4,312,500 SC ADSs from SCI. After giving effect to the exercise of the over-allotment option, the total number of SC ADSs sold in the Studio City IPO was 33,062,500 SC ADSs, which raised net proceeds of approximately US$406.7 million from the SC ADSs sold in the Studio City IPO and aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$2.5 million from the concurrent private placement to Melco International in connection with Melco International’s “assured entitlement” distribution to its shareholders, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and a structuring fee, but before deducting offering expenses payable by SCI.

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In December 2018, we completed the voluntary tender offer to acquire a total of 1,338,477,668 MRP Shares from other minority shareholders of MRP and, together with an additional 107,475,300 MRP Shares acquired on or after December 6, 2018, increased our equity interest in MRP from approximately 72.8% immediately prior to the announcement of the MRP Tender Offer to approximately 97.9% as of December 31, 2018.

For a description of our principal capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. Our telephone number at this address is 852-2598-3600 and our fax number is 852-2537-3618. Our website is www.melco-resorts.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this annual report on Form 20-F.

The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Overview

We are a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities in Asia. We currently have three major casino-based operations in Macau, namely, City of Dreams, Altira Macau and Studio City, and non-casino based operations in Macau at our Mocha Clubs. We also have a casino-based operation in the Philippines, City of Dreams Manila.

In June 2018, we opened Morpheus, the third phase of City of Dreams in Cotai, Macau. With 1.0 million square feet of hotel space and 0.3 million square feet of podium space, Morpheus houses approximately 770 rooms, suites and villas. We are also developing the remaining project for the land of Studio City. For prevailing Macau market conditions, see “— Market and Competition.”

Our current and future operations are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of gaming patrons, from high-stakes rolling chip gaming patrons to gaming patrons seeking a broader entertainment experience. We currently own and operate four Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotels in Asia — Altira Macau, Studio City’s Star Tower and Nüwa in both Macau and Manila — and have received 13 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and five Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognitions across our properties in 2019. We seek to attract patrons throughout Asia and, in particular, from Greater China.

In the Philippines, Melco Resorts Leisure, a subsidiary of MRP, currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila.

In 2018, we received the “Gaming Operator of the Year, Australia & Asia” award at the International Gaming Awards. We also garnered the “Best Environmental Responsibility” award for six consecutive years at the Asian Excellence Awards by Corporate Governance Asia magazine.

We generated a significant majority of the total revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 from our operations in Macau, the principal market in which we compete. For further information on the Macau gaming market, see “— Market and Competition — Macau Gaming Market.”

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Our Major Existing Operations

City of Dreams

City of Dreams is an integrated casino resort in Cotai, Macau, which opened in June 2009. City of Dreams is a premium-focused property, targeting high-end customers and rolling chip players from regional markets across Asia. In 2018, City of Dreams had an average of approximately 476 gaming tables and approximately 724 gaming machines. In January 2019, the Macau government authorized Melco to operate 40 additional gaming tables at City of Dreams.

The resort brings together a collection of brands to create an experience that appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors from around Asia. Morpheus offers approximately 770 rooms, suites and villas. Nüwa and The Countdown each offers approximately 300 guest rooms and the Grand Hyatt Macau hotel offers approximately 800 guest rooms. In addition, City of Dreams includes approximately 25 restaurants and bars, approximately 165 retail outlets, recreation and leisure facilities, including health and fitness clubs, three swimming pools, spas and salons and banquet and meeting facilities. The Club Cubic nightclub offers approximately 2,395 square meters (equivalent to approximately 25,780 square feet) of live entertainment space. SOHO, a lifestyle entertainment and dining precinct located on the second floor of City of Dreams, offers customers a wide selection of food and beverage and other non-gaming offerings. The opening of Morpheus in June 2018 provides an additional pool, spa and salon, fitness club, executive lounge and four restaurants.

Due to its outstanding customer service and diverse range of unique world-class entertainment experiences, City of Dreams has garnered numerous awards in the prestigious International Gaming Awards over the years. City of Dreams was honored as “Casino VIP Room of the Year” in 2014, “Integrated Resort of the Year” in 2013, “Customer Experience of the Year” in 2012 and received “Casino VIP Room” and “Casino Interior Design” awards in 2011. It also received the “Best Leisure Development in Asia Pacific” award in the International Property Awards in 2010, which recognizes distinctive innovation and outstanding success in leisure development. City of Dreams’ Nüwa (then branded as Crown Towers) was the first hotel brand in Macau to receive the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition for its hotel, spa and every restaurant in January 2014. It was recognized as a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel for the seventh consecutive year in 2019, and its spa, its contemporary French restaurant, The Tasting Room, the Cantonese culinary masterpiece, Jade Dragon, and the premium Japanese fine-dining establishment, Shinji by Kanesaka, were all awarded Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition. Nüwa and Nüwa Spa were also named one of the “2018 World’s Most Luxurious Hotels” and “2018 World’s Most Luxurious Spas” by Forbes Travel Guide. In addition, the ultimate French culinary experience provided by Alain Ducasse at Morpheus attained two Michelin stars in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019 in less than six months since its opening, while Jade Dragon has further set the benchmark for fine dining in Macau with three Michelin stars. The Tasting Room once again garnered Michelin two-star ratings in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019, while Shinji by Kanesaka maintained its one-star Michelin rating. Jade Dragon was also included in the 2019 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, a gastronomic guide judged by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, for the third consecutive year. Moreover, Yi at Morpheus has been included in the list of The Top 20 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau 2019 by Hong Kong Tatler, and was recommended by Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019 together with the contemporary French cuisine Voyages at Morpheus. Just a few months after its grand opening, Morpheus has been hailed as one of the “World’s Greatest Places” in 2018 by TIME magazine, as the only Macau entry on the list. It has also won the Most Valuable Brand Gold Award in the 2018 Business Awards of Macau and ArchDaily’s 2019 Building of the Year Award in the Hospitality Architecture Category.

The Dancing Water Theater, a wet stage performance theater with approximately 2,000 seats, features the internationally acclaimed and award winning water-based extravaganza, The House of Dancing Water. The House of Dancing Water is the live entertainment centerpiece of the overall leisure and entertainment offering at City of Dreams and highlights City of Dreams as an innovative entertainment-focused destination, strengthening the overall diversity of Macau as a multi-day stay market and one of Asia’s premier leisure and entertainment destinations. The House of Dancing Water incorporates costumes, sets and audio-visual special effects and

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showcases an international cast of performance artists. The HK$2.0 billion world-class production was awarded the Excellence Award as the “Most Valuable Brand Award” by Business Awards of Macau in 2015. The show also garnered the “Culture, Entertainment & Sporting Events Award” in the Effie China Awards in 2012 and the prestigious “International THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement” from the Themed Entertainment Association and was named the “Best Entertainment of Macau” in the 2011 Hurun Report.

Altira Macau

Altira Macau is designed to provide a casino and hotel experience that caters to Asian rolling chip customers and players sourced primarily through gaming promoters.

In 2018, Altira Macau had an average of approximately 104 gaming tables and 129 gaming machines operated as a Mocha Club at Altira Macau. Altira Macau’s multi-floor layout comprises primarily designated gaming areas and private gaming rooms for rolling chip players, together with a general gaming area for the mass market that offers various table limits to cater to a wide range of mass market patrons. Our multi-floor layout allows us the flexibility to reconfigure Altira Macau’s gaming areas to meet the changing demands of our patrons and target specific customer segments.

We consider Altira hotel, located within the 38-story Altira Macau, to be one of the leading hotels in Macau as evidenced by its long-standing Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition. The top floor of the Altira hotel serves as the hotel lobby and reception area, providing guests with views of the surrounding area. The Altira hotel comprises approximately 230 guest rooms, including suites and villas, as of December 31, 2018. A number of restaurants and dining facilities are available at Altira Macau, including a leading Mediterranean cuisine, Aurora, several Chinese and international restaurants and several bars. Altira hotel also offers several non-gaming amenities, including a spa, gymnasium, outdoor garden podium and sky terrace lounge.

Altira Macau offers a luxurious hotel experience with its internationally acclaimed accommodation and guest services. It has been awarded Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in lodging and spa categories by Forbes Travel Guide for ten consecutive years in 2019. It was also named one of the “World’s Most Luxurious Hotels” by Forbes Travel Guide. Altira Spa was selected as the Regional Winner in the “Luxury Fitness Spa” category and Country Winner in the “Luxury Wellness Spa” category at the 2018 World Luxury Spa Awards, and was honored as the Global Winner in the “Best Luxury Fitness Spa” category in 2014. Altira Macau’s swimming pool was named by US Forbes Traveler as one of the ten best hotel pools in the world and one of eight outstanding indoor hotel pools by CNN.com.

Altira Macau houses several award-winning restaurants. Its Mediterranean cuisine Aurora and its Japanese tempura specialist Tenmasa have both earned Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide for the sixth and fifth consecutive year, respectively, in 2019, and were recommended by Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019. Its Cantonese restaurant, Ying, was awarded Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognition for the fifth consecutive year in 2019 and a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019 for the third consecutive year. In addition, Aurora, Tenmasa and Ying were winners of the “Best of Award Excellence of Wine Spectator” in 2015.

In recognition of their outstanding service and service management, Ying and Tenmasa also respectively received the Service Star Award in the “Deluxe Restaurant” and “First Class Restaurant” categories in the “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme 2017” organized by the Macau Government Tourism Office.

Studio City

Studio City is a large-scale cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort which opened in October 2015. In 2018, Studio City had an average of approximately 292 gaming tables and 957

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gaming machines. The gaming operations of Studio City are focused on the mass market and target all ranges of mass market patrons. While Studio City focuses on the mass market segment for gaming, VIP rolling chip operations, including both junket and premium direct VIP offerings, were introduced at Studio City in early November 2016 and a VIP rolling chip area has been built at Studio City with 45 VIP tables as of December 31, 2018. Such VIP rolling chip operations are operated by us, through Melco Resorts Macau. In January 2019, Melco Resorts Macau informed Studio City Entertainment Limited that it will cease VIP gaming operations at the Studio City Casino in January 2020. Studio City will assess and evaluate its focus on different market segments from time to time and will adjust its operations as appropriate. Studio City also includes luxury hotel offerings and various entertainment, retail and food and beverage outlets to attract a diverse range of customers. Designed to focus on the mass market segment, Studio City offers cinematically-themed, unique and innovative interactive attractions, including the world’s first figure-8 and Asia’s highest Ferris wheel, a Warner Bros.-themed family entertainment center, a 4-D Batman flight simulator, an exclusive night club and a 5,000-seat multi-purpose live performance arena, as well as approximately 1,600 luxury hotel rooms, various food and beverage outlets and approximately 35,000 square meters (approximately 377,000 square feet) of themed and innovative retail space.

In recognition of Studio City’s facilities, games, customer service, atmosphere, style and design, Studio City was awarded the International Five Star Standard, Best Large Hotel Macau, Best City Hotel Macau, Best Resort Hotel Macau and Best Convention Hotel Macau in the International Hotel Awards 2017-18. In addition, Studio City was the Global Winner in the “Luxury Casino Hotel” category and the Regional Winner (East Asia) in the “Luxury Family Hotel” category of the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The Studio City property was also awarded the “Casino/Integrated Resort of the Year” in the International Gaming Awards in 2016 and honored as “Asia’s Leading New Resort” in World Travel Awards in 2016. Moreover, according to Forbes Travel Guide’s official 2019 Star Rating List, Studio City is currently one of only 11 Triple Five-Star Winners in the world, garnering the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition for its hotel, spa and restaurant. Studio City’s Star Tower once again received the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in 2019, while Zensa Spa was awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition for the first time in 2019 and was named “World’s Most Luxurious Spa” by the Guide in 2018. Studio City’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Pearl Dragon, celebrated its first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in 2019 and one-Michelin-starred establishment rank for the third consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019, while Bi Ying has been once again recommended in the guidebook.

Studio City is located in Cotai, Macau. In addition to its diverse range of gaming and non-gaming offerings, Studio City’s location in the fast growing Cotai region of Macau, directly adjacent to the Lotus Bridge immigration checkpoint and a proposed light rail station, is a major competitive advantage, particularly as it relates to the mass market segment.

We are currently developing the remaining land for Studio City. Under our current plan, the remaining project is expected to consist of two hotel towers with approximately 900 rooms and suites and a gaming area. In addition, we currently envision the remaining project to also contain a waterpark with indoor and outdoor areas. Other non-gaming attractions expected to be part of the remaining project include MICE space, retail and food and beverage outlets and a cineplex. As of December 31, 2018, we have incurred approximately US$39.5 million of aggregate costs relating to the development of our remaining project, primarily related to the initial design and planning costs. Based on our current plan for the remaining project, we currently expect a project budget of approximately US$1.35 billion to US$1.40 billion for the development of the remaining project (exclusive of any pre-opening costs and financing costs) and an estimated construction period of approximately 32 months.

Our plan for the remaining project may be subject to further revision and change and detailed design elements remain subject to further refinement and development. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations — We are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession contract which require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by July 24, 2021. If we do not complete development by that time and the Macau government

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does not grant us an extension of the development period, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the buildings and structures on such land,” “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations — All our current and future construction projects are and will be subject to significant development and construction risks, which could have a material adverse impact on related project timetables, costs and our ability to complete the projects,” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations — We could encounter substantial cost increases or delays in the development of our projects, which could prevent or delay the opening of such projects.”

Our subsidiary Melco Resorts Macau operates the gaming areas of Studio City pursuant to a services agreement it entered into in May 2007, as amended in June 2012, with Studio City Entertainment Limited, together with other agreements or arrangements entered into between the parties from time to time, which may amend, supplement or relate to the aforementioned agreement. Melco Resorts Macau is reimbursed for the costs incurred in connection with its operation of Studio City’s gaming areas.

Mocha Clubs

Mocha Clubs comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. In 2018, Mocha Clubs had eight clubs with an average of approximately 1,336 gaming machines in operation (including approximately 129 gaming machines at Altira Macau). According to the DICJ, there was a total of 16,059 slot machines in the Macau market as of December 31, 2018. Mocha Clubs focus on general mass market players, including day trip customers, outside the conventional casino setting. We operate Mocha Clubs at leased or sub-leased premises or under right-to-use agreements.

The Mocha Club gaming facilities include what we believe is the latest technology for gaming machines and offer both electronic gaming machines, including stand-alone machines, stand-alone progressive jackpot machines and linked progressive jackpot machines with a variety of games, and electronic table games which feature fully-automated multi-player machines with roulette, baccarat and sic-bo, a traditional Chinese dice game.

City of Dreams Manila

City of Dreams Manila is one of the leading integrated tourism resorts in the Philippines. The property is located on an approximately 6.2-hectare site at the gateway of Entertainment City, Manila, close to Metro Manila’s international airport and central business district. City of Dreams Manila opened in December 2014 and represents our first entry into an entertainment and gaming market outside of Macau and an incremental source of earnings and cash flow outside of Macau.

The property’s total gross floor area is approximately 300,100 square meters (equivalent to approximately 3.2 million square feet). We are authorized by PAGCOR to operate up to approximately 2,300 slot machines, 1,200 electronic gaming tables and 380 gaming tables. In 2018, City of Dreams Manila had an average of approximately 1,708 slot machines, 221 electronic gaming tables and 300 gaming tables.

City of Dreams Manila has three hotels comprising Nüwa Manila, Nobu Manila and the recently-rebranded Hyatt Regency, with approximately 950 rooms in aggregate. City of Dreams Manila also has exciting entertainment venues: DreamPlay, a DreamWorks animation inspired interactive play space, which officially opened in June 2015; CenterPlay, a live performance central lounge within the casino; The VR Zone at The Garage, featuring top-of-class Virtual Reality technology situated inside a food park with a carefully curated selection of food and beverage trucks and trailers set in a comfortable, air-conditioned space; and K-Golf, an indoor golf simulator with state of the art technology that brings some of the most popular golf courses around the world in 3D graphics. City of Dreams Manila also has a retail boulevard, The Shops at the Boulevard, which

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is a retail strip interspersed within the food and beverage areas to provide customers with a broad range of shopping opportunities.

City of Dreams Manila is committed to providing the best in class luxury experiences in hospitality, dining and entertainment. With its exceptional facilities and services, the integrated resort’s luxury hotel brands Nüwa Manila was awarded Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in 2019, which also named it one of the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels; and Nobu Manila was recognized by the global authority in luxury travel with Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognition. Nüwa Spa was also awarded Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognition.

The integrated resort is conferred with various distinctions for exemplary performance by the Parañaque City government and in civic and business circles for its contributions to business, creation of jobs and promotion of Philippine’s tourism. Internationally, it was recognized in 2017 as one of the “23 Fanciest Casinos in the World” in townandcountry.com and in 2015 as “Casino/Integrated Resort of the Year” at the 8th International Gaming Awards.

In addition to the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards of the hotels, TripAdvisor gave the “2017 Certificate of Excellence” and in the previous year, “Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Philippines Travelers Choice Awards,” for the three luxury hotel brands. Nüwa Manila was awarded the 2016 International Hotel and Property Award for “Best Lobby/Public Area/Lounge” in the Global category and “Best Hotel over 200 Rooms in Asia Pacific” by Design Et Al, an international design magazine in Italy.

With more than 20 dining outlets located on property, signature restaurants and other dining options maintained the prestige of being recognized in prominent luxury magazines’ best restaurants list. The Tasting Room was awarded as one of the top 20 restaurants among the 173 entries in the Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurants Guide (“BRG”) 2019 of the finest restaurants in the country and also during its first introduction in 2016. For the BRG top 20 list, Crystal Dragon was recognized from 2016 to 2018 and Nobu Manila in 2016. Red Ginger, Apu by Caviar, Hide Yamamoto and Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse and Bar were included in the latest list of best restaurants. Town and Country Philippines, in its annual Fabulous Dine Around Best Restaurants in 2017 and 2018, recognized Nobu Manila and Crystal Dragon in 2017 to be in its roster of 42 selected restaurants that it considered the best to offer an exclusive dining experience to food connoisseurs and influencers; and again in 2018, together with The Tasting Room which had reopened, among 61 restaurants. Nobu Manila was also commended in 2017 as “One of the 7 Premier Restaurants Putting Manila in the World’s Gastronomic Map” in the online edition of Conde Nast Traveler.

Melco Resorts Leisure operates the casino business of City of Dreams Manila in accordance with the terms of the Regular License and the operating agreement between Melco Resorts Leisure and the Philippine Parties dated March 13, 2013. Under the operating agreement, PremiumLeisure and Amusement, Inc. (a member of the Philippine Parties) has the right to receive monthly payments from Melco Resorts Leisure, based on the performance of gaming operations of City of Dreams Manila, and Melco Resorts Leisure has the right to retain all revenues from non-gaming operations of City of Dreams Manila.

Having met the minimum investment levels and other requirements under our Provisional License, the Regular License dated April 29, 2015 was issued by PAGCOR to the Philippine Licensees. The Regular License has the same terms and conditions as the Provisional License and is valid until July 11, 2033.

For a breakdown of total revenues by category of activity and geographic market for each of the last three financial years, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results.”

Our Development Projects

We are developing the remaining project of Studio City, which is currently expected to consist of two hotel towers with approximately 900 rooms and suites and a gaming area. In addition, we currently envision the

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remaining project to also contain a waterpark with indoor and outdoor areas. Other non-gaming attractions expected to be part of the remaining project include MICE space, retail and food and beverage outlets and a cineplex. As of December 31, 2018, we have incurred approximately US$39.5 million aggregate costs relating to the development of our remaining project, primarily related to the initial design and planning costs. Based on our current plan for the remaining project, we currently expect a project budget of approximately US$1.35 billion to US$1.40 billion for the development of the remaining project (exclusive of any pre-opening costs and financing costs) and a construction period of approximately 32 months. Such development for the remaining project of Studio City may be funded through various sources, including cash on hand, operating free cash flow as well as debt and/or equity financing.

Further, we continually seek new opportunities for additional gaming or related businesses in Macau and in other countries and will continue to target the development of a project pipeline in order to expand our footprint in countries which offer legalized casino gaming, including Japan where we have a strong interest in developing integrated resorts. In defining and setting the timing, form and structure for any future development, we focus on evaluating alternative available financing, market conditions and market demand. In order to pursue these opportunities and such development, we have incurred and will continue to incur capital expenditures at our properties and for our projects.

Our Land and Premises

We operate our gaming business at our operating properties in Macau in accordance with the terms and conditions of our gaming subconcession. In addition, our existing operating properties and development projects in Macau are subject to the terms and conditions of land concession contracts. See “— Regulations — Macau Regulations — Land Regulations.” Through MRP, we also operate our gaming business in the Philippines through the Regular License issued by PAGCOR on a property which Melco Resorts Leisure leases from Belle Corporation under the Lease Agreement.

City of Dreams

City of Dreams is located in Cotai, Macau, with a land area of 113,325 square meters (equivalent to approximately 1.2 million square feet). In August 2008, the Macau government granted the land on which City of Dreams is located to COD Resorts and Melco Resorts Macau for a period of 25 years, renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years, subject to applicable legislation in Macau. The land grant has been amended in September 2010 and January 2014, respectively. Under the terms of the revised land concession, the development period was extended to January 28, 2018, the hotel to be developed was changed to a five-star hotel and the total developable gross floor area on the land was increased to 692,619 square meters (equivalent to approximately 7.5 million square feet). Total land premium required for the land is in the amount of approximately MOP1,286.6 million (equivalent to approximately US$160 million), which was paid in full in January 2016. In January 2018, the Macau government approved the extension of the development period to June 11, 2018.

Under the current terms of the land concession, the annual government land use fees payable during the development are approximately MOP9.5 million (equivalent to approximately US$1.2 million) and the annual government land use fees payable after completion of development are approximately MOP9.9 million (equivalent to approximately US$1.2 million). The government land use fee amounts may be adjusted every five years as agreed between the Macau government and the land concessionaire using the applicable rates in effect at the time of the rent adjustment.

See note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for information about our future commitments as to government land use fees for City of Dreams.

The equipment utilized by City of Dreams in the casino and hotel is owned by us and held for use at City of Dreams, including the main gaming equipment and software to support its table games and gaming

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machine operations, cage equipment, security and surveillance equipment, casino and hotel furniture, fittings and equipment.

Altira Macau

Altira Macau is located in Taipa, Macau with a land area of approximately 5,230 square meters (equivalent to approximately 56,295 square feet) under a 25-year land lease agreement with the Macau government that is renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years, subject to applicable legislation in Macau. In March 2006, the Macau government granted the land on which Altira Macau is located to Altira Resorts. The land grant was amended in December 2013. The total gross floor area of Altira Macau is approximately 104,000 square meters (equivalent to approximately 1,119,000 square feet). Total land premium required is in the amount of MOP169.3 million (equivalent to approximately US$21 million) which was paid in full in 2013. According to the current terms of the land concession, the annual government land use fees payable are approximately MOP1.5 million (equivalent to approximately US$190,000). This amount may be adjusted every five years as agreed between the Macau government and the land concessionaire using the applicable rates in effect at the time of the rent adjustment.

See note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for information about our future commitments as to government land use fees for Altira Macau.

The equipment utilized by Altira Macau in the casino and hotel is owned by us and held for use at Altira Macau, including the main gaming equipment and software, to support its table games and gaming machine operations, cage equipment, security and surveillance equipment and casino, hotel furniture, fittings and equipment.

Mocha Clubs

Mocha Clubs operate at premises with a total floor area of approximately 133,700 square feet at the following locations in Macau:

Premises are being operated under leases, subleases or right to use agreements that expire at various dates through June 2022, which are renewable upon reaching agreements with the owners.

In addition to leasehold improvements to Mocha Club premises, the onsite equipment utilized at the Mocha Clubs is owned and held for use to support the gaming machine operations.

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Studio City

Studio City is located in Cotai, Macau and has a land area of 130,789 square meters (equivalent to approximately 1.4 million square feet) held under a 25-year land lease agreement with the Macau government that is renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years, subject to applicable legislation in Macau. In October 2001, the Macau government granted the land on which Studio City is located to Studio City Developments. The Studio City land concession contract was amended in July 2012 and September 2015 to permit Studio City Developments to build a complex comprising a four-star hotel, a facility for cinematographic industry, including supporting facilities for entertainment and tourism, parking and free area.

The gross construction area of the Studio City site is approximately 707,078 square meters (equivalent to approximately 7.6 million square feet). The gross construction area completed in the first phase was approximately 477,110 square meters (equivalent to approximately 5.1 million square feet). The land premium of approximately MOP1,402.0 million (equivalent to approximately US$175 million) was paid in full in January 2015. In February 2018, the development period under the Studio City land concession contract was extended to July 24, 2021. Government land use fees of approximately MOP3.9 million (equivalent to approximately US$490,000) per annum are payable during the development stage. The annual government land use fees payable after completion of development will be MOP9.1 million (equivalent to approximately US$1.1 million). The amounts may be adjusted every five years as agreed between the Macau government and the land concessionaire using the applicable rates in effect at the time of the rent adjustment.

As part of the security provided in relation to the 2016 Studio City Notes and the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, we assigned certain leases and right to use agreements and granted a mortgage over our rights under the Studio City land concession.

See note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for information about our future commitments as to government land use fees for Studio City.

City of Dreams Manila

The City of Dreams Manila site is located on reclaimed land (“Project Reclaimed Land”). The Project Reclaimed Land was originally acquired by an entity known as R 1 Consortium from the Philippine Public Estates Authority (“PEA”). This acquisition occurred in 1995 as part of the R 1 Consortium’s compensation for the construction of PEA’s Manila-Cavite Coastal Road project. R 1 Consortium conveyed all its interest to the Project Reclaimed Land in favor of two entities in 1995. These two entities later merged with Belle Bay City Corporation (“Belle Bay”), which is 34.9% owned by Belle Corporation, being one of the Philippine Parties, with Belle Bay becoming the surviving entity and owner of the Project Reclaimed Land. Belle Bay was dissolved in 2005 and is still undergoing liquidation. The Project Reclaimed Land was allocated to Belle Corporation as part of Belle Bay’s plan of dissolution. Belle Corporation has exercised possession and other rights over the Project Reclaimed Land since this allocation. In 2005, Belle Corporation transferred a portion of the Project Reclaimed Land to the Philippine Social Security System. In 2010, Belle Corporation and the Philippine Social Security System entered into a lease agreement for that land portion.

Melco Resorts Leisure does not own the land or the buildings comprising the site for City of Dreams Manila. Rather, Melco Resorts Leisure leases the Project Reclaimed Land and buildings from Belle Corporation under the Lease Agreement. Part of the land covered under the Lease Agreement is leased by Belle Corporation from the Philippine Social Security System under a lease agreement entered into between Belle Corporation and the Social Security System in 2010.

Other Premises

Grand Dragon Casino (formerly known as Taipa Square Casino) premises, including the fit-out and gaming-related equipment, are located on the ground floor and level one within Grand Dragon Hotel (formerly,

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the Hotel Taipa Square) in Macau and occupy a floor area of approximately 2,450 square meters (equivalent to approximately 26,400 square feet). We operate Grand Dragon Casino under a right-to-use agreement.

Apart from the aforesaid property sites, we maintain various offices and storage locations in Macau, Hong Kong and Japan. We lease all of our office and storage premises.

Advertising and Marketing

We seek to attract customers to our properties and to grow our customer base over time by undertaking several types of advertising, sales and marketing activities and plans. We utilize local and regional media to publicize our projects and operations. We have built a public relations and advertising team that cultivates media relationships, promotes our brands and explores media opportunities in various markets. Advertising uses a variety of media platforms that include digital, print, television, online, outdoor, on property (as permitted by Macau, PRC and other regional laws), collateral and direct mail pieces. A sales team has been established that directly liaises with current and potential customers within target Asian countries in order to grow and retain high-end customers. In order to be competitive in the Macau gaming environment, we hold various promotions and special events, operate loyalty programs with our patrons and have developed a series of commission and other incentive-based programs. In Macau and the Philippines, we employ a tiered loyalty program at our properties to ensure that each customer segment is specifically recognized and incentivized in accordance with their expected revenue contributions. Dedicated customer hosting programs provide personalized service to our most valuable customers. In addition, we utilize sophisticated analytical programs and capabilities to track the behavior and spending patterns of our patrons. We believe these tools help deepen our understanding of our customers to optimize yields and make continued improvements to our properties. As our advertising, sales and marketing activities occur in various jurisdictions, we aim to ensure we are in compliance with all applicable laws in relation to our advertising and marketing activities.

Customers

We seek to cater to a broad range of customers through our diverse gaming and non-gaming facilities and amenities across our major existing operating properties.

Non-Gaming Patrons

In addition to its mass market and rolling chip gaming offerings, City of Dreams offers visitors to Macau an array of multi-dimensional entertainment amenities, four hotels, as well as a selection of restaurants, bars and retail outlets. Altira Macau is designed to provide a high-end casino and hotel experience, tailored to meet the cultural preferences and expectations of Asian rolling chip patrons. Mocha Clubs are targeted to deliver a relaxed, café-style non-casino based electronic gaming experience. Studio City is designated to primarily target mass market guests through its vast array of non-gaming amenities and entertainment attractions.

City of Dreams Manila features different entertainment venues: DreamPlay, a family entertainment center which features a children’s concierge and supervision service and activities catering to children aged four and above; Centerplay, a live performance central lounge within the casino; and the two facilities introduced in November 2018: the VR Zone and K-Golf. With these diverse entertainment venues and attractions, we believe City of Dreams Manila will be able to leverage on the experiences of City of Dreams in Macau, which has developed world-class attractions such as The House of Dancing Water and the Club Cubic nightclub.

Gaming Patrons

Our gaming patrons include rolling chip players and mass market players.

Mass market players are non-rolling chip players and they come to our properties for a variety of reasons, including our direct marketing efforts, brand recognition, the quality and comfort of our mass market

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gaming floors and our non-gaming offerings. Mass market players are further classified as general mass market and premium mass market players.

Rolling chip players at our casinos are patrons who participate in our in-house rolling chip programs or in the rolling chip programs of our gaming promoters, also known as junket operators. Our rolling chip players play mostly in our dedicated VIP rooms or designated gaming areas.

Our in-house rolling chip programs consist of rolling chip players sourced through our direct marketing efforts and relationships, whom we refer to as premium direct players. Premium direct players can earn a variety of gaming-related rebates, such as cash, rooms, food and beverage and other complimentary products or services.

Gaming Promoters

A portion of our rolling chip play is brought to us by gaming promoters, also known as junket operators. While rolling chip players sourced by gaming promoters do not earn direct gaming-related rebates from us, we pay commissions and provide other complimentary services to gaming promoters.

In both Macau and Manila, we engage gaming promoters to promote our VIP gaming rooms primarily due to the gaming promoters’ knowledge of and experience within the regional gaming market, in particular with sourcing and attracting rolling chip patrons and arranging for their transportation and accommodation, and gaming promoters’ extensive rolling chip patron network. Under standard arrangements utilized in Macau and Manila, we provide gaming promoters with exclusive or casual access to one or more of our VIP gaming rooms and support from our staff while gaming promoters source rolling chip patrons for our casinos or gaming areas to generate an expected minimum amount of rolling chip volume per month. Gaming promoters in Macau are independent third parties that include both individuals and corporate entities and are officially licensed by the DICJ. We have procedures to screen prospective gaming promoters prior to their engagement and conduct periodic checks that are designed to ensure that the gaming promoters with whom we associate meet suitability standards. We believe we have strong relationships with some of the top gaming promoters in Macau and have a solid network of gaming promoters who help us market our properties and source and assist in managing rolling chip patrons at our properties. For City of Dreams Manila, we leverage our extensive sales reach within Asia to the extent permissible by applicable laws, particularly to the sizable international customer base largely developed through our Macau operations and our strong relationships with gaming promoters in Macau and the rest of Asia. Melco Resorts Leisure works with Melco Resorts Macau to develop cross promotional marketing campaigns that position the Philippines as an additional gaming and tourist destination to guests at our properties and our gaming promoter networks. We expect to continue to evaluate and selectively add or remove gaming promoters going forward.

In Macau, we typically enter into gaming promoter agreements for a one-year term that are automatically renewed in subsequent years unless otherwise terminated. The gaming promoter agreements may be terminated (i) by either party without cause upon 15 days advance written notice, (ii) upon advice from the DICJ or any other gaming regulator to cease having dealings with the gaming promoter or if the DICJ cancels or fails to renew the gaming promoter’s license, (iii) if the gaming promoter fails to meet the minimum rolling chip volume it agreed to with us, (iv) if the gaming promoter enters or is placed in receivership or provisional liquidation or liquidation, an application is made for the winding up of the gaming promoter, the gaming promoter becomes insolvent or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors or an encumbrancer takes possession of any of the gaming promoter’s assets or (v) if any party to the agreement is in material breach of any of the terms of the agreement and fails to remedy such breach within the timeframe outlined in the agreement. Our gaming promoters are compensated through commission arrangements that are calculated on a monthly or a per trip basis. We generally offer commission payment structures that are calculated by reference to revenue share or monthly rolling chip volume. Under the revenue share-based arrangements, the gaming promoter participates in our gaming wins or losses from the rolling chip patrons brought in by the gaming promoter. To encourage gaming promoters to use our VIP gaming rooms for rolling chip patrons, our gaming

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promoters may receive complimentary allowances for food and beverage, hotel accommodation and transportation. Under the Administrative Regulation 27/2009 governing gaming promotion activity as promulgated by the Macau government, these allowances must be included in the 1.25% regulatory cap on gaming promoter commissions on rolling chip volume-based arrangements.

We conduct, and expect to continue to conduct, our table gaming activities at our casinos on a credit basis as well as a cash basis. As a customary practice in both Macau and Manila gaming markets, we grant credit to our gaming promoters and certain of our premium direct players. The gaming promoters bear the responsibility for issuing to and, subsequently collecting credit, from their players.

We extend interest-free credit to a significant portion of our gaming promoters for short-term, renewable periods under credit agreements that are separate from the gaming promoter agreements. Credit is also granted to certain gaming promoters on a revolving basis. All gaming promoter credit lines are generally subject to monthly review and various settlement procedures, including our credit committee review and other checks performed by our cage, count and credit department, to evaluate the liquidity and financial health of gaming promoters to whom we grant such credit. These procedures allow us to calculate the commissions payable to a gaming promoter and to determine the amount which can be offset, together with any other values held by us from the gaming promoter, against the outstanding credit balances owed by a gaming promoter. Credit is granted to a gaming promoter based on the performance and financial background of the gaming promoter and, if applicable, the gaming promoter’s guarantor. If we determine that a gaming promoter has good credit history and a track record of large business volumes, we may extend credit exceeding one month of commissions payable. This credit is typically unsecured. Although the amount of such credit may exceed the amount of accrued commissions payable to, and any other amounts of value held by us from, the gaming promoters, we generally obtain personal checks and/or promissory notes from guarantors or other forms of collateral. We have in place internal controls and credit policies and procedures to manage such credit risks.

We aim to pursue overdue debts from gaming promoters and premium direct players. This collection activity includes, as applicable, frequent personal contact with the debtor, notices of delinquency and litigation. However, we may not be able to collect all of our gaming receivables from our credit customers and gaming promoters. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations — We extend credit to a portion of our customers, and we may not be able to collect gaming receivables from our credit customers.”

Our allowance for doubtful accounts may fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of having significant individual customer account balances where changes in their status of collectability cause significant changes in our allowance. For information regarding allowances for doubtful accounts, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Accounts Receivable and Credit Risk.”

Market and Competition

We believe that the gaming markets in Macau and the Philippines are and will continue to be intensely competitive. Our competitors in Macau and elsewhere in Asia include all the current concession and subconcession holders, other PAGCOR license holders and many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and property development companies in the world. Some of these current and future competitors are larger than us and have significantly longer track records in the operation of major hotel casino resort properties.

Macau Gaming Market

In 2018, 2017 and 2016, Macau generated approximately US$37.5 billion, US$32.9 billion and US$27.7 billion of gaming revenue, respectively, according to the DICJ. Macau is currently the only market in Greater China, and one of only several in Asia, to offer legalized casino gaming.

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Gross gaming revenues in Macau expanded 13.5% in 2012 and 18.6% in 2013, according to the DICJ. The DICJ figures show that the Macau gaming market has been through a challenging period since 2014, with a decline in gross gaming revenues of 2.6% in 2014 and 34.3% in 2015 and 3.3% in 2016, primarily driven by a deteriorating demand environment from our key feeder market, China, as well as other restrictive policies including changes to travel and visa policies and the implementation of further smoking restrictions on the main gaming floor. According to the DICJ, the rolling chip segment underperformed the broader market, declining 10.9% year-over-year in 2014 and 39.9% year-over-year in 2015 and 6.9% in 2016, while the higher margin mass market table games segment increased 15.5% in 2014 and declined 26.7% in 2015 and increased 9.4% in 2016. The operating environment improved in 2017, with gross gaming revenues in Macau increasing 19.1% on a year-on-year basis and continued to improve in 2018 with gross gaming revenues in Macau increasing 14.0% on a year-on-year basis according to the DICJ.

The mass market table games segment accounted for 40.2% of market-wide gross gaming revenues in 2018, compared to 38.3% in 2017 and 41.6% in 2016, according to the DICJ. With our large exposure to the mass market table games segment in the fast growing Cotai region, we believe we are well positioned to cater to this increasingly important, and more profitable, segment of the market.

While industry trends in Macau have improved since the third quarter of 2016, Macau continues to be impacted by a range of external factors, including the slowdown in the Chinese economy and government policies that may adversely affect the Macau gaming market. For example, the Chinese government has taken measures to deter marketing of gaming activities to mainland Chinese residents by foreign casinos and to reduce capital outflow. Such measures include reducing the amount that China-issued ATM cardholders can withdraw in each withdrawal, setting a limit for annual withdrawals and the launch of facial recognition and identity card checks with respect to certain ATM users.

We believe the long-term growth in gaming and non-gaming revenues in Macau are supported by, among other things, the continuing emergence of a wealthier demographic in China, a robust regulatory framework and significant new infrastructure developments in Macau and China, as well as by the anticipated new supply of gaming and non-gaming facilities in Macau, which is predominantly focused on the Cotai region. Visitation to Macau totaled more than 35.8 million in 2018, increasing by 9.8% compared to 2017. While visitors from China represented 70.6%, increasing by 13.8% compared to 2017, visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan represented 17.7% and 3.0%, of all visitors to Macau in 2018, respectively.

Gaming in Macau is administered through government-sanctioned concessions awarded to three different concessionaires: SJM, in which Mr. Lawrence Ho, our chairman and chief executive officer, and his family members have shareholding interests; Wynn Macau, a subsidiary of Wynn Resorts Ltd.; and Galaxy. SJM granted a subconcession to MGM Grand Paradise, which was originally formed as a joint venture by MGM-Mirage and Ms. Pansy Ho, sister of Mr. Lawrence Ho. Galaxy granted a subconcession to VML, a subsidiary of Sands China Ltd and Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Melco Resorts Macau obtained its subconcession under the concession of Wynn Macau.

SJM currently operates multiple casinos throughout Macau. SJM (through its predecessor, Tourism and Entertainment Company of Macau Limited) commenced its gaming operations in Macau in 1962 and is currently developing its project in Cotai which is expected to open in 2019.

Wynn Macau opened the Wynn Macau in September 2006 on the Macau Peninsula and an extension called Encore in 2010. In August 2016, Wynn Macau opened Wynn Palace, in Cotai.

Galaxy currently operates multiple casinos in Macau, including StarWorld, a hotel and casino resort in Macau’s central business and tourism district. The Galaxy Macau Resort opened in Cotai in May 2011 and the opening of Phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau Resort took place in May 2015. Galaxy is currently developing Phase 3 of the Galaxy Macau Resort, which is currently expected to be completed and operational in 2020.

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VML operates Sands Macao on the Macau Peninsula, The Venetian Macao, the Plaza Casino at The Four Seasons Hotel Macao, the Sands Cotai Central and the Parisian Macao and has announced the re-branding and redevelopment of Sands Cotai Central into The Londoner Macao.

MGM Grand Paradise opened its MGM Macau in December 2007, which is located next to Wynn Macau on the Macau Peninsula, and its MGM Cotai in February 2018.

The existing concessions and subconcessions do not place any limit on the number of gaming facilities that may be operated. In addition to facing competition from existing operations of these concessionaires and subconcessionaires, we will face increased competition when any of them constructs new, or renovates pre-existing, casinos in Macau or enters into leasing, services or other arrangements with hotel owners, developers or other parties for the operation of casinos and gaming activities in new or renovated properties. Each of these concessionaires was permitted to grant one subconcession. The Macau government is currently considering the process of renewal, extension or grant of gaming concessions or subconcessions expiring in 2022. The Macau government further announced that the number of gaming tables in Macau should not exceed 5,500 until the end of the first quarter of 2013 and that, thereafter, for a period of ten years, the total number of gaming tables to be authorized will be limited to an average annual increase of 3%. These restrictions are not legislated or enacted into laws or regulations and, as such, different policies, including on the annual rate of increase in the number of gaming tables, may be adopted at any time by the relevant Macau government authorities. According to the DICJ, the number of gaming tables operating in Macau as of December 31, 2018 was 6,588. The Macau government has reiterated further that it does not intend to authorize the operation of any new casino or gaming area that was not previously authorized by the government, or permit tables authorized for mass market gaming operations to be utilized for VIP gaming operations or authorize the expansion of existing casinos or gaming areas. However, the policies and laws of the Macau government could change and permit the Macau government to grant additional gaming concessions or subconcessions. Such change in policies may also result in a change in the number of gaming tables and casinos that the Macau government is prepared to authorize for operation.

Philippine Gaming Market

We expect City of Dreams Manila to benefit from growth in the local and regional gaming demand, supported by improved infrastructure and strong growth in tourism to the Philippines. The Philippine economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the region, with favorable demographics and an expected increase in consumer spending, which we believe will benefit the Philippine gaming market. City of Dreams Manila, however, presently faces stronger competition in the Philippine market from hotels and resorts owned by both Philippine nationals and foreigners, including many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and resort companies in the world, such as Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corporation and Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc. as well as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, an entity owned and controlled by the government of the Philippines, which operates certain gaming facilities across the Philippines.

Other Regional Markets

We may also face competition from casinos and gaming resorts located in other Asian destinations together with cruise ships. Casinos and integrated gaming resorts are becoming increasingly popular in Asia, giving rise to more opportunities for industry participants and increasing regional competition. There are major gaming facilities in Australia located in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast. Genting Highlands is a popular international gaming resort in Malaysia, approximately a one-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. South Korea has allowed gaming for some time but these offerings are available primarily to foreign visitors. There are also casinos in Vietnam and Cambodia, although they are relatively small compared to those in Macau.

Singapore legalized casino gaming in 2006. Genting Singapore PLC opened its resort in Sentosa, Singapore, in February 2010 and Las Vegas Sands Corporation opened its casino in Marina Bay, Singapore, in

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April 2010. In December 2016, a law which conceptually enables the development of integrated resorts in Japan took effect. In addition, several other Asian countries are considering or are in the process of legalizing gambling and establishing casino-based entertainment complexes.

Seasonality

Macau, our principal market of operation, experiences many peaks and seasonal effects. The “Golden Week” and “Chinese New Year” holidays are in general the key periods where business and visitation increase considerably in Macau. In the Philippines, business considerably slows down during the “Holy Week,” as well as during the “Chinese New Year” and the “Chinese Ghost Month.” While we may experience fluctuations in revenues and cash flows from month to month, we do not believe that our business is materially impacted by seasonality.

Intellectual Property

We have applied for and/or registered certain trademarks, including “Morpheus”, “Altira”, “Mocha Club”, “City of Dreams”, “Nüwa”, “The Countdown”, “City of Dreams Manila”, “Studio City”, “Melco Resorts Philippines” and “Melco Resorts & Entertainment” in Macau, the Philippines and/or other jurisdictions. We have also applied for or registered in Macau, the Philippines and other jurisdictions certain other trademarks and service marks used or to be used in connection with the operations of our hotel casino projects in Macau and City of Dreams Manila.

For our license or hotel management agreements that are required for our operations, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.”

Regulations

Macau Regulations

Gaming Regulations

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in Macau are subject to the general civil and commercial laws and to specific gaming laws, in particular, Law no. 16/2001, or the Macau Gaming Law. Macau’s gaming operations are also subject to the grant of a concession or subconcession by, and regulatory control of, the Macau government. See “— Gaming Licenses” below for more details.

The DICJ is the supervisory authority and regulator of the gaming industry in Macau. The core functions of the DICJ are:

Below are the main features of the Macau Gaming Law, as supplemented by Administrative Regulation no. 26/2001, that are applicable to our business.

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Non-compliance with these obligations could lead to the revocation of Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession and could materially adversely affect our gaming operations.

The Macau government has also enacted other gaming legislation, rules and policies. Further, it imposed policies, regulations and restrictions that affect the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau, the number of gaming tables that may be operated in Macau, location requirements for sites with gaming machine lounges, supply and requirements of gaming machines, equipment and systems, instruction on responsible gaming, restrictions on the utilization of mass market gaming tables for VIP gaming operations and other matters. In addition, the Macau government may consider enacting new regulations that may adversely affect our gaming operations. Our inability to address the requirements or restrictions imposed by the Macau government under such legislation or rules could adversely affect our gaming operations.

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Gaming Promoters Regulations

Macau Administrative Regulation no. 6/2002, as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 27/2009, or the Gaming Promoters Regulation, regulates licensing of gaming promoters and the operations of gaming promotion business by gaming promoters. Applications to the DICJ by those seeking to become licensed gaming promoters must be sponsored by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire. Such concessionaire or subconcessionaire must confirm that it may contract the applicant’s services subject to the latter being licensed. Licenses are subject to annual renewal and a list of licensed gaming promoters is published every year in the Macau Official Gazette. The DICJ monitors each gaming promoter and its staff and collaborators. In October 2015, the DICJ issued specific accounting related instructions applicable to gaming promoters and their operations. Any failure by the gaming promoters to comply with such instructions may impact their license and ability to operate in Macau.

In addition, concessionaires and subconcessionaires are jointly liable for the activities of their gaming promoters and collaborators within their casinos. In addition to the licensing and suitability assessment procedures performed by the DICJ, all of our gaming promoters undergo a thorough internal vetting process. We conduct background checks and also conduct periodic reviews of the activities of each gaming promoter, its employees and its collaborators for possible non-compliance with Macau legal and regulatory requirements. Such reviews generally include investigations into compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations as well as tax withholding requirements.

Concessionaires and subconcessionaires are required to report periodically on commissions and other remunerations paid to their gaming promoters. A 5% tax must be withheld on commissions and other remunerations paid by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire to its gaming promoters. Under the Gaming Promoters Regulation and in accordance with the Secretary for Economy and Finance Dispatch no. 83/2009, effective as of September 11, 2009, a commission cap of 1.25% of net rolling has been in effect. Any bonuses, gifts, services or other advantages which are subject to monetary valuation and which are granted, directly or indirectly, inside or outside of Macau by any concessionaire or subconcessionaires or any company of their respective group to any gaming promoter shall be considered a commission. The commission cap regulations impose fines, ranging from MOP100,000 (equivalent to approximately US$12,397) up to MOP500,000 (equivalent to approximately US$61,985) on gaming operators that do not comply with the cap and other fines, ranging from MOP50,000 (equivalent to approximately US$6,198) up to MOP250,000 (equivalent to approximately US$30,992) on gaming operators that do not comply with their reporting obligations regarding commission payments. If breached, the legislation on commission caps has a sanction enabling the relevant government authority to make public a government decision imposing a fine on a concessionaire and subconcessionaire, by publishing such decision on the DICJ website and in two Macau newspapers (in Chinese and Portuguese respectively). We believe we have implemented the necessary internal control systems to ensure compliance with the commission cap and reporting obligations in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

The Macau government is currently considering amending the Macau Administrative Regulation no. 6/2002. The Macau government is, among other things, proposing that the licensing requirements for gaming promoters be more stringent and restrictive, the imposition of new penalties and the increase of the amounts of current fines.

Gaming Credit Regulations

Macau Law no. 5/2004 has legalized the extension of gaming credit to patrons or gaming promoters by concessionaires and subconcessionaires. Gaming promoters may also extend credit to patrons upon obtaining an authorization by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire to carry out such activity. Assigning or transferring one’s authorization to extend gaming credit is not permitted. This statute sets forth filing obligations for those extending credit and the supervising role of the DICJ in this activity. Gaming debts contracted pursuant to this statute are a source of civil obligations and may be enforced in court.

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Access to Casinos and Gaming Areas Regulations

Under Law no. 10/2012, as amended pursuant to Law no. 17/2018, the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau is 21 years of age. The director of the DICJ may authorize employees under 21 years of age to temporarily enter casinos or gaming areas, after considering their special technical qualifications. In addition, off-duty gaming related employees of gaming operators and gaming promoters may not, starting from December 2019, access any casinos or gaming areas, except during the Chinese New Year festive season or under specific circumstances.

Smoking Regulations

Under the Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Law, as amended pursuant to Law no. 9/2017, from January 1, 2019, smoking on casino premises is only permitted in authorized segregated smoking lounges with no gaming activities and such smoking lounges are required to meet certain standards determined by the Macau government.

Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in Macau

In conjunction with current gaming laws and regulations, we are required to comply with the laws and regulations relating to anti-money laundering activities in Macau. Law 2/2006 (as amended pursuant to Law 3/2017), the Administrative Regulation 7/2006 (as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 17/2017) and the DICJ Instruction 1/2016 in effect from May 13, 2016, govern our compliance requirements with respect to identifying, reporting and preventing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing crimes at our casinos in Macau. Under these laws and regulations, we are required to:

Under Article 2 of Administrative Regulation 7/2006 (as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 17/2017) and the DICJ Instruction 1/2016, we are required to track and report transactions and

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granting of credit that are of MOP500,000 (equivalent to approximately US$61,985) or above. Pursuant to the legal requirements above, if the customer provides all required information, after submitting the reports, we may continue to deal with those customers that were reported to the DICJ and, in case of suspicious transactions, to the Finance Information Bureau.

We employ internal controls and procedures designed to help ensure that our gaming and other operations are conducted in a professional manner and in compliance with internal control requirements issued by the DICJ set forth in its instruction on anti-money laundering, the applicable laws and regulations in Macau, as well as the requirements set forth in the Subconcession Contract.

We have developed a comprehensive anti-money laundering policy and related procedures covering our anti-money laundering responsibilities, which have been approved by the DICJ, and have training programs in place to ensure that all relevant employees understand such anti-money laundering policy and procedures. We also use an integrated IT system to track and automatically generate significant cash transaction reports and, if permitted by the DICJ and the Finance Information Bureau, to submit those reports electronically.

Responsible Gaming Regulations

On October 18, 2012, the DICJ issued Instruction no. 2/2012, which came into effect on November 1, 2012, setting out measures for the implementation of responsible gaming principles. Under this instruction, concessionaires and subconcessionaires are required to implement certain measures to promote responsible gambling, including: making information available on the risks of gambling, responsible gambling and odds, both inside and outside the casinos and gaming areas and through electronic means; creation of information and counseling kiosks and a hotline; adequate regulation of lighting inside casinos and gaming areas; public exhibition of time; and creation and training of teams and a coordinator responsible for promoting responsible gambling.

Control of Cross-border Transportation of Cash Regulations

On June 12, 2017, Law no. 6/2017 with respect to the control of cross-border transportation of cash and other negotiable instruments to the bearer, was enacted. Such law came into effect on November 1, 2017. In accordance with such law, all individuals entering Macau with an amount in cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer equal to or higher than the amount determined by the order of the Chief Executive of Macau at MOP120,000 (equivalent to approximately US$14,876) will be required to declare such amount to the customs authorities. The customs authorities may also request an individual exiting Macau to declare if such individual is carrying an amount in cash or negotiable instruments to the bearer equal to or higher to such amount. Individuals that fail to duly complete the required declaration may be subject to a fine (ranging from 1% to 5% of the amount that exceeds the amount determined by the order of the Chief Executive of Macau for declaration purposes, such fine being at least MOP1,000 (equivalent to approximately US$124) and not exceeding MOP500,000 (equivalent to approximately US$61,985)). In the event the relevant customs authorities find that the cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer carried by an individual while entering or exiting Macau may be associated with or result from any criminal activity, such incident shall be notified to the relevant criminal authorities and the relevant amounts shall be seized pending investigation. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Operations in Macau — Our gaming operations in Macau could be adversely affected by restrictions on the export of the Renminbi and any unfavorable fluctuations in the currency exchange rates of the Renminbi.”

Prevention and Suppression of Corruption in External Trade Regulations

In addition to the general criminal laws regarding corrupt practices in the public and private sector that are in force in Macau, on January 1, 2015, Law no. 10/2014, criminalizing corruption acts in external trade and providing for a system for prevention and suppression of such criminal acts came into effect in Macau. Our internal policies, address this issue.

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Asset Freezing Enforcement Regulations

On August 29, 2016, Law no. 6/2016 with respect to the framework for the enforcement of asset freezing orders, which comprised of United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions for the fight against terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, was enacted. Under this law, the Chief Executive of Macau is the competent authority to enforce freezing orders and the Asset Freeze Coordination Commission must assist the Chief Executive in all technical aspects of such enforcement. Among other entities, gaming operators are subject to certain obligations and duties regarding the freezing of assets ordered by the United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions, including reporting and cooperation obligations.

Foreign Exchange Regulations

Gaming operators in Macau may be authorized to open foreign exchange counters at their casinos and gaming areas subject to compliance with the Foreign Exchange Agencies Constitution and Operation Law (Decree-Law no. 38/97/M), the Exchange Rate Regime (Decree-Law no. 39/97/M) and the specific requirements determined by the Monetary Authority of Macau. The transaction permitted to be performed in such counters is limited to buying and selling bank bills and coins in foreign currency, and to buying travelers checks.

Intellectual Property Rights Regulations

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are subject to local intellectual property regulations. Intellectual property protection in Macau is supervised by the Intellectual Property Department of the Economic Services Bureau of the Macau government.

The applicable regime in Macau with regard to intellectual property rights is defined by two main laws. The Industrial Property Code (Decree-Law no. 97/99/M, as amended pursuant to Law no. 11/2001), covers (i) inventions meeting the patentability requirements; (ii) semiconductor topography products; (iii) trademarks; (iv) designations of origin and geographical indications; and (v) awards. The Regime of Copyright and Related Rights (Decree-Law no. 43/99/M, as amended by Law no. 5/2012), protects intellectual works and creations in the literary, scientific and artistic fields, by copyright and related rights. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations — A failure to establish and protect our intellectual property rights could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Personal Data Regulations

Processing of personal data by our subsidiaries in Macau is subject to compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (Law no. 8/2005). The Office for Personal Data Protection, or GPDP, is the regulatory authority in Macau in charge of supervising and enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act. Breaches are subject to civil liability, administrative and criminal sanctions.

The legal framework requires that certain procedures must be adopted before collecting, processing and/or transferring personal data, including obtaining consent from the data subject and/or notifying or requesting authorization from the GPDP prior to processing personal data.

Labor Quotas Regulations

All businesses in Macau must apply to the Labor Affairs Bureau for labor quotas to import non-resident unskilled workers from China and other regions or countries. Non-resident skilled workers are also subject to the issuance of a work permit by the Macau government, which is given individually on a case-by-case basis. Businesses are free to employ Macau residents in any position, as by definition all Macau residents have the right to work in Macau. We have, through our subsidiaries, two main groups of labor quotas in Macau, one to import non-skilled workers from China and the other to import non-skilled workers from all other countries. Melco Resorts Macau is not currently allowed to hire non-Macau resident dealers and supervisors under Macau government’s policy.

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Pursuant to Macau social security laws, Macau employers must register their employees under a mandatory social security fund and make social security contributions for each of its resident employees and pay a special duty for each of its non-resident employees on a quarterly basis. Employers must also buy insurance to cover employment accidents and occupational illness for all employees.

Land Regulations

Land in Macau is legally divided into plots. In most cases, private interests in real property located in Macau are obtained through long-term leases from the Macau government.

Our subsidiaries have entered into land concession contracts for the land on which our Altira Macau, City of Dreams and Studio City properties are located. Each contract has a term of 25 years and is renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years and imposes, among other conditions, a development period, a land premium payment, a nominal annual government land use fee, which may be adjusted every five years, and a guarantee deposit upon acceptance of the land lease terms, which are subject to adjustments from time to time in line with the amounts paid as annual land use fees.

The land is initially granted on a provisional basis and registered as such with the Macau Real Property Registry and only upon completion of the development is the land concession converted into definitive status and so registered with the Macau Real Property Registry.

Restrictions on Distribution of Profits

All subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are required to set aside a minimum of 10% to 25% of the entity’s profit after tax to the legal reserve until the balance of the legal reserve reaches a level equivalent to 25% to 50% of the entity’s share capital in accordance with the provisions of the Macau Commercial Code. The legal reserve sets aside an amount from the subsidiaries’ statements of operations and is not available for distribution to the shareholders of the subsidiaries. The appropriation of legal reserve is recorded in the subsidiaries’ financial statements in the year in which it is approved by the boards of directors of the relevant subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate balance of the reserves of all our Macau subsidiaries amounted to US$31.5 million.

Philippines Regulations

Gaming Regulations

Melco Philippine Parties and Philippine Parties are co-licensees of the Regular License dated April 29, 2015 issued by PAGCOR (previously the Provisional License) for the development of an integrated casino, hotel, retail and entertainment complex within the Entertainment City, Manila. As one of the Philippine Licensees, Melco Resorts Leisure has been named as the special purpose entity to operate the casino business and act as the sole and exclusive representative of the Philippine Licensees for the purposes of the Regular License. The Regular License is one of the four licenses granted to various parties to develop integrated tourism resorts and establish and operate casinos in Entertainment City.

The Casino Regulatory Manual (CRM) was originally issued in January 2013 by PAGCOR for the guidance of the Entertainment City licensees. It was developed to meet the following objectives of PAGCOR: (a) to ensure a level playing field among industry proponents; (b) maintain the orderly and predictable environment; (c) enforce license terms and conditions; (d) promote fairness and integrity in the conduct of games; (e) provide an underlying platform for responsible gaming; (f) disallow access to gaming venues by minors and financially vulnerable persons; and (g) prevent licensed gaming venues from being used for illegal activities.

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The CRM contains regulations and standards that the Entertainment City licensees, including City of Dreams Manila, should adhere to and observe. It should be read in conjunction with the Regular License. It contains regulations on areas such as, but not limited to: casino layout, table games and electronic gaming machines, casino management system, surveillance, gaming chips and plaques, procurement of gaming equipment and gaming paraphernalia as well as the accreditation of suppliers thereof; casino operational rules and guidelines; conduct of gaming; casino player incentives; marketing and promotions; chipwashing and junket operations; banned personalities; determination of gross gaming revenues for table games, electronic gaming machines and other fees; and determination, collection and remittance of PAGCOR license fees. The CRM is annually revised to incorporate changes and revisions to the CRM proposed by any of the Entertainment City licensees and approved by PAGCOR. To date, the CRM is now on its fourth (4^th) version.

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the Philippines are subject to the regulatory supervision of PAGCOR. See “— Gaming Licenses — PAGCOR Licenses in the Philippines” below for more details.

Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in the Philippines

The Philippine AMLA criminalized money laundering and imposed certain requirements on customer identification, record keeping, and reporting of covered and suspicious transactions by covered persons as defined under the law.

Previously, City of Dreams Manila was covered by the AMLA only to a limited extent and was only required to report its foreign exchange transactions/money changer activities. However, with the new amendment to the existing Philippine AMLA, casinos are now included as covered persons subject to reporting and other requirements. Therefore, City of Dreams Manila, both in relation to its foreign exchange transactions/money changer activities, as well as its casino operations, is now required to report (i) transactions in cash or other equivalent monetary instrument involving a total amount in excess of PHP500,000 within one (1) banking day, with respect to its foreign exchange transactions/money changer activities, and (ii) single casino cash transaction involving an amount in excess of PHP5,000,000 or its equivalent in any other currency, with respect to its casino operations. Suspicious transactions, regardless of amount, are also required to be reported in connection with both its foreign exchange transactions/money changer activities and casino operations.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council and PAGCOR have also recently released regulations and guidelines on compliance and we are currently adjusting our anti-money laundering policies for our Philippine operations to these new rules and regulations.

Environmental Laws

Development projects that are classified by law as Environmentally Critical Projects (“ECP”) within statutorily defined Environmentally Critical Areas (“ECAs”) are required to obtain an Environmental Compliance Certificate (“ECC”) prior to commencement.

The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR-EMB”) issued an ECC to Belle Corporation for City of Dreams Manila. Under the terms of its Philippine Economic Zone Authority (“PEZA”) registration, Melco Resorts Leisure is required, prior to the start of commercial operations of City of Dreams Manila, to either: (a) apply for an ECC with the DENR-EMB and submit an approved copy of the ECC to PEZA within 15 days from its issuance, or (b) submit the ECC issued to Belle Corporation, as the same may be amended to reflect any changes made to City of Dreams Manila, for the review and approval by PEZA. Accordingly, Belle Corporation applied for an Amended ECC to reflect the changes made to City of Dreams Manila. The DENR-EMB issued the Amended ECC to Belle Corporation on July 31, 2014.

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Other Applicable Laws

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

The FCPA prohibits our Company and our employees and agents from offering or giving money or any other item of value to win or retain business or to influence any act or decision of any foreign official. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics includes specific FCPA related provisions in Section IV and VIII B. To further supplement the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Company implemented a FCPA Compliance Program in 2007, which was revised and expanded in scope in December 2013 as the Ethical Business Practices Program. This covers the activities of the shareholders, directors, officers, employees and counterparties of our Company.

Gaming Licenses

The Concession Regime in Macau

The Macau government conducted an international tender process for gaming concessions in Macau in 2001, and granted three gaming concessions to SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Macau, respectively. Upon authorization by the Macau government, each of SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Macau subsequently entered into subconcession with their respective subconcessionaires to operate casino games and other games of chance in Macau. No further granting of subconcessions is permitted unless specifically authorized by the Macau government.

Though there are no restrictions on the number of casinos or gaming areas that may be operated under each concession or subconcession, Macau government approval is required for the commencement of operations of any casino or gaming area.

The subconcessionaires that entered into subconcession contracts with Wynn Macau, SJM and Galaxy are Melco Resorts Macau, MGM Grand Paradise and VML, respectively. Our subsidiary, Melco Resorts Macau, executed the Subconcession Contract with Wynn Macau on September 8, 2006. Wynn Macau will continue to develop and run hotel operations and casino projects independent of ours.

All concessionaires and subconcessionaires must pay a special gaming tax of 35% of gross gaming revenues, defined as all gaming revenues derived from casino or gaming areas, plus an annual gaming premium of:

The Macau government has been considering the extension, renewal or grant of new concessions and subconcessions. As part of such efforts, in May 2016, the Macau government conducted a mid-term review to analyze the impact of the gaming industry on the local economy, business environment of small and medium enterprises, local population and gaming and non-gaming business sectors and the current status of the gaming promoters.

The Subconcession Contract in Macau

The Subconcession Contract in Macau provides for the terms and conditions of the subconcession granted to Melco Resorts Macau by Wynn Macau. Melco Resorts Macau does not have the right to further grant a subconcession or transfer the operation to third parties.

Melco Resorts Macau paid a consideration of US$900 million to Wynn Macau. On September 8, 2006, Melco Resorts Macau was granted the right to operate games of fortune and chance or other games in casinos in Macau until the expiration of the subconcession on June 26, 2022. No further payments need to be made to Wynn Macau in future operations during the concession period.

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The Macau government has confirmed that the subconcession is independent of Wynn Macau’s concession and that Melco Resorts Macau does not have any obligations to Wynn Macau pursuant to the Subconcession Contract. It is thus not affected by any modification, suspension, redemption, termination or rescission of Wynn Macau’s concession. In addition, an early termination of Wynn Macau’s concession before June 26, 2022, would not result in the termination of the subconcession. The subconcession was authorized and approved by the Macau government. Absent any change to Melco Resorts Macau’s legal status, rights, duties and obligations towards the Macau government or any change in applicable law, Melco Resorts Macau will continue to be validly entitled to operate independently under and pursuant to the subconcession, notwithstanding the termination or rescission of Wynn Macau’s concession, the insolvency of Wynn Macau and/or the replacement of Wynn Macau as concessionaire in the Subconcession Contract. The Macau government has a contractual obligation to the effect that, should Wynn Macau cease to hold the concession prior to June 26, 2022, the Macau government would replace Wynn Macau with another entity so as to ensure that Melco Resorts Macau may continue to operate games of chance and other games in casinos in Macau and the subconcession would at all times be under a concession. Both the Macau government and Wynn Macau have undertaken to cooperate with Melco Resorts Macau to ensure all the legal and contractual obligations are met.

A summary of the key terms of the Subconcession Contract is as follows.

Development of Gaming Projects/Financial Obligations. The Subconcession Contract requires us to make a minimum investment in Macau of MOP4.0 billion (equivalent to approximately US$495.9 million), including investment in fully developing Altira Macau and the City of Dreams, by December 2010. In June 2010, we obtained confirmation from the Macau government that as of the date of the confirmation, we had invested over MOP4.0 billion (equivalent to approximately US$495.9 million) in our projects in Macau.

Payments. Subconcession premiums and taxes, computed in various ways depending upon the type of gaming or activity involved, are payable to the Macau government. The method for computing these fees and taxes may be changed from time to time by the Macau government. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable either monthly or annually and are based upon either a percentage of the gross revenues or the number and type of gaming devices operated. In addition to special gaming taxes of 35% of gross gaming revenues, we are also required to contribute to the Macau government an amount equivalent to 1.6% of the gross revenues of our gaming business. Such contribution must be delivered to a public foundation designated by the Macau government whose goal is to promote, develop or study culture, society, economy, education and science and engage in academic and charitable activities. Furthermore, we are also obligated to contribute to Macau an amount equivalent to 2.4% of the gross revenues of the gaming business for urban development, tourism promotion and the social security of Macau. We are required to collect and pay, through withholding, statutory taxes on commissions or other remunerations paid to gaming promoters.

Termination Rights. The Macau government has the right, after notifying Wynn Macau, to unilaterally terminate Melco Resorts Macau’s subconcession in the event of non-compliance by us with our basic obligations under the subconcession and applicable Macau laws. Upon termination, all of our casino premises and gaming equipment would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation to us and we would cease to generate any revenues from these operations. In many of these instances, the Subconcession Contract does not provide a specific cure period within which any such events may be cured and, instead, we may be dependent on consultations and negotiations with the Macau government to give us an opportunity to remedy any such default. Neither Melco Resorts Macau nor Wynn Macau is granted explicit rights of veto, or of prior consultation. The Macau government may be able to unilaterally rescind the Subconcession Contract upon the following termination events:

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Ownership and Capitalization. Set out below are the key terms in relation to ownership and capitalization under the Subconcession Contract:

Redemption. Under the Subconcession Contract, from 2017, the Macau government has the right to redeem the Subconcession Contract by providing us with at least one year’s prior notice. In the event the Macau government exercises this redemption right, we would be entitled to compensation. The standards for the calculation of the amount of such compensation would be determined based on the gross revenues generated by

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City of Dreams during the tax year immediately prior to the redemption, multiplied by the remaining years of the term of the subconcession. We would not receive any further compensation (including for consideration paid to Wynn Macau for the subconcession).

Others. In addition, the Subconcession Contract contains various general covenants and obligations and other provisions, including special duties of cooperation, special duties of information, and execution of our investment obligations.

See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Operations in Macau — Melco Resorts Macau’s Subconcession Contract expires in 2022 and if we were unable to secure an extension of its subconcession, or a new concession or subconcession, in 2022, or if the Macau government were to exercise its redemption right, we would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau.”

PAGCOR Licenses in the Philippines

The Regular License issued by PAGCOR authorizes the Philippine Licensees, through Melco Resorts Leisure, to establish and operate a casino in the Philippines for both local and foreign patrons who are at least twenty-one years of age.

In general, the Regular License imposes certain obligations such as, but not limited to, the following:

See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to the Gaming Industry and Our Business in the Philippines — MRP’s gaming operations are dependent on the Regular License issued by PAGCOR.”

Tax

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we and our subsidiaries incorporated in the Cayman Islands are not subject to Cayman Islands income or capital gains tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands. However, we are subject to Hong Kong profits tax on profits arising from our activities conducted in Hong Kong.

Our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to tax in the British Virgin Islands, but certain subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are subject to Macau complementary tax of 12% on profits earned in or derived from its activities conducted in Macau.

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are subject to Macau complementary tax of up to 12% on profits earned in or derived from their activities conducted in Macau. Having obtained a subconcession, Melco Resorts Macau applied for and was granted the benefit of a corporate tax holiday on Macau complementary tax (but not gaming tax) in 2007, which exempted us from Macau complementary tax for five years from 2007 to 2011 on gaming profits. The Macau government has extended the tax holiday for additional five-year periods from 2012 through 2016 and from 2017 through 2021. In addition, the Macau government granted one of our

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subsidiaries in Macau the complementary tax exemption until 2021 on profits generated from income received from Melco Resorts Macau, to the extent that such income is derived from Studio City gaming operations and has been subject to gaming tax. The dividend distributions of such subsidiary to its shareholders continue to be subject to complementary tax. We remain subject to Macau complementary tax on our non-gaming profits.

During the five-year period from 2012 through 2016, an annual payment of MOP22.4 million (equivalent to approximately US$2.8 million) was payable by Melco Resorts Macau, effective retroactively from 2012 through 2016, with respect to tax due for dividend distributions to the shareholders of Melco Resorts Macau from gaming profits, whether such dividends are actually distributed by Melco Resorts Macau or not, or whether Melco Resorts Macau has distributable profits in the relevant year. For the five-year period from 2017 through 2021, the annual payment payable by Melco Resort Macau is of MOP18.9 million (equivalent to approximately US$2.3 million). Upon the payment of such payment amount, the shareholders of Melco Resorts Macau will not be liable to pay any other tax in Macau for dividend distributions received from gaming profits. However, we cannot assure you that the same arrangement will be applied beyond 2021 or that, in the event a similar arrangement is adopted, whether we will be required to pay a higher annual sum.

Melco Resorts Macau is subject to Macau gaming tax based on gross gaming revenue in Macau. These gaming taxes are an assessment on Melco Resorts Macau’s gaming revenue and are recorded as casino expense.

The Macau government granted to Altira Resorts (formerly, Altira Hotel), in 2007, and COD Resorts (formerly, COD Hotels), in 2011 and 2013, the declaration of utility purposes benefit in respect of Altira Macau, The Countdown, Nüwa and Grand Hyatt Macau hotel, pursuant to which they are entitled to a property tax holiday, for a period of 12 years, on any immovable property that they own or is operated by them. Under such declaration of utility purposes benefit, they will also be allowed to double the maximum rates applicable regarding depreciation and reintegration for the purposes of assessing the Macau complementary tax. The transfer of the declaration of utility purpose to COD Resorts and Altira Resorts was requested on November 8, 2017 and was duly approved by the Macau government.

In September 2017, the Macau government granted Studio City Hotels the declaration of touristic utility purpose pursuant to which Studio City Hotels is entitled to a property tax holiday for a period of twelve years on the immovable property to which the touristic utility was granted, owned or operated by Studio City Hotels. Under such tax holiday, Studio City Hotels is allowed to double the maximum rates applicable to depreciation and reintegration for the purposes of assessment of the Macau complementary tax. Although the Studio City property is owned by Studio City Developments, we believe Studio City Hotels is entitled to such property tax holiday; however, there is no assurance that the Macau government will extend such benefit to Studio City Hotels.

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong profits tax of 16.5% on any profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong. One of our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong is also subject to Macau complementary tax on profits earned in or derived from its activities conducted in Macau and another one is subject to corporate tax on profits in a number of other Asian jurisdictions through its activities conducted in these jurisdictions.

Our subsidiaries incorporated in the Philippines are subject to Philippine corporate income tax of 30% on profits and other local taxes. Some of the subsidiaries are likewise liable for VAT on certain transactions. On gaming related transactions, Melco Resorts Leisure enjoys exemption from national, local, direct and indirect (i.e. VAT) taxes pursuant to the PAGCOR charter and is subject to license fees which are inclusive of the 5% franchise tax payable to PAGCOR based on gross gaming revenue in the Philippines, in lieu of all other taxes. The franchise tax and license fees are an assessment on Melco Resorts Leisure’s gaming revenue and are recorded as casino expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Further, Melco Resorts Leisure, by virtue of its being registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority as a Tourism Economic Zone Enterprise, enjoys a tax and duty exemption on importation and VAT zero-rating on its local purchases of certain capital equipment used in registered activities.

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C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

We are a holding company for the following principal businesses and developments: (1) 100% economic interest in our Macau gaming subconcession holder, Melco Resorts Macau, which, directly or indirectly through its subsidiary, is the operator of our gaming and non-gaming businesses in various properties in Macau; (2) a majority equity and economic interest in SCI, the holding company of Studio City; and (3) a majority equity and economic interest in MRP, a company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, the holding company of City of Dreams Manila.

The following diagram illustrates our organizational structure, including the place of formation, ownership interest and affiliation of our significant subsidiaries, as of March 27, 2019:

Notes:

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See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders” for more information regarding the beneficial ownership of Melco International in our Company and “Exhibit 8.1 — List of Significant Subsidiaries.”

D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investing Activities” and “— Other Financing and Liquidity Matters” for information regarding our material tangible property, plant and equipment.

Not applicable.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Certain statements in this “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” are forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” regarding these statements.

Overview

We are a holding company and, through our subsidiaries, develop, own and operate casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities in Asia. Our future operating results are subject to significant business, economic, regulatory and competitive uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations.” For detailed information regarding our operations and development projects, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview.”

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A. OPERATING RESULTS

Operations

Our primary business segments consist of:

Macau

City of Dreams

In 2018, City of Dreams had an average of approximately 476 gaming tables and approximately 724 gaming machines. In January 2019, the Macau government authorized Melco to operate 40 additional gaming tables at City of Dreams. As of December 31, 2018, City of Dreams offered approximately 2,170 hotel rooms, suites and villas (inclusive of the approximately 770 rooms, suites and villas offered by Morpheus following its opening in June 2018), approximately 25 restaurants and bars, approximately 165 retail outlets, a wet stage performance theater, recreation and leisure facilities, including health and fitness clubs, three swimming pools, spas and salons and banquet and meeting facilities. The opening of Morpheus in June 2018 also provides an additional pool, spa and salon, fitness club, executive lounge and four restaurants. The wet stage performance theater with approximately 2,000 seats features The House of Dancing Water produced by Franco Dragone. The Club Cubic nightclub features approximately 2,395 square meters (equivalent to approximately 25,780 square feet) of live entertainment space. City of Dreams targets premium market and rolling chip players from regional markets across Asia.

We opened Morpheus, the third phase of City of Dreams, in June 2018.

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from City of Dreams amounted to US$2,543.7 million, US$2,666.3 million and US$2,590.8 million, representing 49.3%, 50.5% and 57.3% of our total net revenues, respectively.

Altira Macau

In 2018, Altira Macau had an average of approximately 104 gaming tables and 129 gaming machines operated as a Mocha Club at Altira Macau. In addition, Altira Macau had approximately 230 hotel rooms as of December 31, 2018 and features several fine dining and casual restaurants and recreation and leisure facilities. Altira Macau is designed to provide a casino and hotel experience that caters to Asian rolling chip players sourced primarily through gaming promoters. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from Altira Macau amounted to US$471.3 million, US$446.1 million and US$439.1 million, representing 9.1%, 8.4% and 9.7% of our total net revenues, respectively.

Studio City

Studio City is a large-scale cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort located in Cotai, with gaming facilities, luxury hotel offerings and various entertainment, retail and food and beverage outlets to attract a diverse range of customers, with a current focus on the mass market segment and complemented with junket and premium direct VIP rolling chip operations in Asia and, in particular, from Greater China. In January 2019, Melco Resorts Macau informed Studio City Entertainment Limited that it will cease VIP gaming operations at the Studio City Casino in January 2020. Studio City will assess and evaluate its focus on different market segments from time to time and will adjust its operations as appropriate. Studio City opened its doors to customers in October 2015. In October 2018, Studio City listed its SC ADS on the New York Stock Exchange, following which we continued to retain a majority equity interest in SCI. In 2018, Studio City had an average of approximately 292 gaming tables and 957 gaming machines. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from Studio City amounted to US$1,368.4 million, US$1,363.4 million and US$838.2 million, representing 26.5%, 25.8% and 18.5% of our total net revenues, respectively.

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Mocha Clubs

In 2018, Mocha Clubs had eight clubs with an average of approximately 1,336 gaming machines in operation (including approximately 129 gaming machines at Altira Macau). Mocha Clubs focus primarily on general mass market players, including day-trip customers, outside the conventional casino setting. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from Mocha Clubs amounted to US$113.4 million, US$121.3 million and US$120.5 million, representing 2.2%, 2.3% and 2.7% of our total net revenues, respectively. The source of revenues was substantially all from gaming machines. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, gaming machine revenues represented 97.7%, 97.3% and 97.4% of net revenues generated from Mocha Clubs, respectively.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other primarily includes Grand Dragon Casino (formerly known as Taipa Square Casino), a casino on Taipa Island, Macau, operating within Grand Dragon Hotel (formerly known as Hotel Taipa Square), which we operate under a right-to-use agreement, and other corporate costs. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from Corporate and Other amounted to US$48.8 million, US$38.5 million and US$39.5 million, representing 0.9%, 0.7% and 0.9% of our total net revenues, respectively.

Philippines

City of Dreams Manila

City of Dreams Manila opened its doors to customers in December 2014, with a grand opening in the first quarter of 2015. In 2018, City of Dreams Manila had an average of approximately 1,708 slot machines, 221 electronic gaming tables and 300 gaming tables. City of Dreams Manila also includes three branded hotel towers, several entertainment venues and features a wide selection of regional and international food and beverage offerings as well as extended retail shops. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, net revenues generated from City of Dreams Manila amounted to US$612.9 million, US$649.3 million and US$491.2 million, representing 11.9%, 12.3% and 10.9% of our total net revenues, respectively.

Summary of Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2018, our total net revenues were US$5.16 billion, a decrease of 2.4% from US$5.28 billion of net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in net revenues was primarily attributable to higher commissions reported as a reduction in revenue upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard, partially offset by higher gross gaming revenues in all gaming segments. Net income attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited for the year ended December 31, 2018 was US$351.5 million, as compared to net income of US$347.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Our results of operations and financial position for the years presented are not fully comparable for the following reasons:

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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

We use the following KPIs to evaluate our casino operations, including table games and gaming machines:

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In the rolling chip market segment, customers purchase identifiable chips known as non-negotiable chips, or rolling chips, from the casino cage, and there is no deposit into a gaming table’s drop box for rolling chips purchased from the cage. Rolling chip volume and mass market table games drop are not equivalent. Rolling chip volume is a measure of amounts wagered and lost. Mass market table games drop measures buy in. Rolling chip volume is generally substantially higher than mass market table games drop. As these volumes are the denominator used in calculating win rate or hold percentage, with the same use of gaming win as the numerator, the win rate is generally lower in the rolling chip market segment than the hold percentage in the mass market table games segment.

Our combined expected rolling chip win rate across our properties is in the range of 2.7% to 3.0%.

We use the following KPIs to evaluate our hotel operations:

Complimentary rooms are included in the calculation of the above room-related KPIs. The average daily rate of complimentary rooms is typically lower than the average daily rate for cash rooms. The occupancy rate and REVPAR would be lower if complimentary rooms were excluded from the calculation. As not all available rooms are occupied, average daily room rates are normally higher than revenue per available room.

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017

Revenues

Our total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 were US$5.16 billion, a decrease of US$0.13 billion, or 2.4%, from US$5.28 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in total net revenues was primarily attributable to higher commissions reported as a reduction in revenue upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard, partially offset by higher gross gaming revenues in all gaming segments. The Company adopted the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified

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retrospective method. Results for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis. Under the previous basis, before the adoption of the New Revenue Standard, total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 would have been US$5.56 billion, which would have represented an increase of US$0.27 billion, or 5.2%, from US$5.28 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Our total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of US$4.46 billion of casino revenues, representing 86.5% of our total net revenues, and US$694.8 million of non-casino revenues. Our total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of US$4.94 billion of casino revenues, representing 93.4% of our total net revenues, and US$347.2 million of net non-casino revenues (total non-casino revenues after deduction of promotional allowances).

Casino. Casino revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 were US$4.46 billion, representing a US$0.47 billion, or 9.6%, decrease from casino revenues of US$4.94 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to higher commissions reported as a reduction in casino revenues and promotional allowances netted against casino revenues upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard, partially offset by higher gross gaming revenues in all gaming segments.

Altira Macau. Altira Macau’s rolling chip volume for the year ended December 31, 2018 was US$22.4 billion, representing an increase of US$5.2 billion, or 29.9%, from US$17.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The rolling chip win rate was 3.03% for the year ended December 31, 2018, and decreased from 3.06% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our expected range was 2.7% to 3.0%. In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$529.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of 23.3% from US$429.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The mass market table games hold percentage was 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2018, increasing from 17.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Average net win per gaming machine per day was US$137 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of US$31, or 29.0%, from US$106 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

City of Dreams. City of Dreams’ rolling chip volume for the year ended December 31, 2018 of US$45.4 billion represented a decrease of US$2.1 billion, or 4.4%, from US$47.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The rolling chip win rate was 2.88% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and was in line with our expected range of 2.7% to 3.0%, but decreased from 2.97% for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$5.01 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 which represented an increase of US$0.51 billion, or 11.2%, from US$4.50 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The mass market table games hold percentage was 30.3% for the year ended December 31, 2018, decreasing from 32.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Average net win per gaming machine per day was US$737 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of US$180, or 32.3%, from US$557 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Mocha Clubs. Mocha Clubs’ average net win per gaming machine per day for the year ended December 31, 2018 was US$258, a decrease of US$14, or 5.2%, from US$272 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Studio City. Studio City Casino’s rolling chip volume was US$21.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018, and increased from US$19.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The rolling chip win rate was 2.97% for the year ended December 31, 2018, and decreased from 3.16% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our expected range was 2.7% to 3.0%. In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$3.27 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018, and increased from US$2.91 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The mass market table games hold percentage was 26.5% for the year ended December 31, 2018, demonstrating an increase from 26.1% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Average net win per gaming machine per day was US$240 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of US$15, or 6.7%, from US$225 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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City of Dreams Manila. City of Dreams Manila’s rolling chip volume for the year ended December 31, 2018 was US$11.1 billion, representing a decrease of US$0.4 billion, or 3.6%, from US$11.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The rolling chip win rate was 3.21% for the year ended December 31, 2018, and increased from 3.10% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our expected range was 2.7% to 3.0%. In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$787.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of US$100.3 million, or 14.6%, from US$686.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The mass market table games hold percentage was 31.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018, demonstrating an increase from 29.6% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Average net win per gaming machine per day was US$278 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of US$7, or 2.6%, from US$271 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Rooms. Room revenues (including complimentary rooms) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were US$311.0 million, representing an increase of US$39.5 million, or 14.6%, from room revenues (including complimentary rooms) of US$271.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increase in room revenues at City of Dreams as a result of the opening of Morpheus in June 2018.

The average daily rate, occupancy rate and REVPAR of each property are as follows:

Food, beverage and others. Food, beverage and other revenues (including complimentary food and beverage and entertainment services) for the year ended December 31, 2018 included food and beverage revenues of US$204.2 million and entertainment, retail and other revenues of US$179.6 million. Food, beverage and other revenues (including complimentary food and beverage and entertainment services) for the year ended December 31, 2017 included food and beverage revenues of US$185.0 million and entertainment, retail and other revenues of US$203.8 million. The slight decrease of US$5.0 million in food, beverage and other revenues from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to lower entertainment, retail and other revenues in Studio City as a result of closure of a non-gaming attraction for remodeling in late 2017 and closure of certain retail shops for expansion of the northeast entrance of Studio City in mid-2017, partially offset by higher food and beverage revenues at City of Dreams as a result of the opening of new restaurants in Morpheus.

Operating costs and expenses

Total operating costs and expenses were US$4.53 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of US$0.15 billion, or 3.1%, from US$4.68 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Casino. Casino expenses decreased by US$0.39 billion, or 11.5%, to US$2.98 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 from US$3.37 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to the decrease in commissions as all commissions were reported as a reduction in revenue upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard and a decrease in casino expenses resulted from the adoption of the New Revenue Standard since the costs of providing complimentary services were no longer included in casino expenses, partially offset by an increase in gaming tax as a result of increased gaming volumes and associated higher revenues.

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Rooms. Room expenses, which represent the costs of operating the hotel facilities were US$78.4 million and US$32.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the opening of Morpheus in June 2018 and the costs of providing complimentary rooms were included in room expenses instead of casino expenses upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method.

Food, beverage and others. Food, beverage and other expenses were US$253.6 million and US$146.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the costs of providing complimentary food and beverage and entertainment services which were included in food, beverage and other expenses instead of casino expenses upon the Company’s adoption of the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by US$33.5 million, or 7.2%, to US$500.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from US$467.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to a one-time special gift granted to non-management employees, an increase in aircraft expenses, maintenance costs and other general and administrative expenses to support continuing and expanding operations in 2018.

Payments to the Philippine Parties. Payments to the Philippine Parties increased to US$60.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 from US$51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, due to the improvement in gaming operations and resulting increase in revenues from gaming operations in City of Dreams Manila.

Pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs were US$37.4 million and US$2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Such costs relate primarily to personnel training, rental, marketing, advertising and administrative costs in connection with new or start-up operations. The pre-opening costs in the year ended December 31, 2018 was mainly related to the marketing and opening event of Morpheus, and the marketing of the new stunt show — Elēkron at Studio City.