Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has urged gaming concessionaires to ensure they fulfill their duties by allocating roles to the thousands of workers who will be impacted by the upcoming satellite casino closures.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that 11 venues will close before the end of the current year. Melco Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment and SJM Holdings will all be shuttering satellite casinos in Macau.
Upon announcing the closures, operators pledged to “properly settle” casino workers, at the request of Macau’s government. Approximately 5,600 people are set to be impacted by the venues shutting.
Speaking at an event over the weekend, Sam said the government would be monitoring the situation, The Macau News said.
Some 4,800 casino employees are expected to be directly impacted by the closures. Casino operators, Sam said, should ensure they “fully receive and allocate” these workers.
As for the other 800 workers, these are directly hired by the casinos’ operating entities and are also set to be out of work. Sam flagged Macau labor law, saying “the employer that hires them should be responsible.”
Sam added that the Labor Affairs Bureau will follow up on the 800 cases to ensure gaming concessionaires support satellite casino operators in helping workers find new positions.
Which Venues are Closing in Macau?
Melco will be shuttering a total of four venues in Macau. These include the Grand Dragon Casino, Mocha Hotel Royal, Mocha Kuong Fat and Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel,
However, Melco also stated there would be no job losses due to the closures. It said staff at the four locations would be assigned to work at its other properties in Macau. Gaming tables and electronic gaming machines will also be reallocated to its other casinos or gaming areas.
Meanwhile, Galaxy will close the Waldo Casino “due to commercial considerations.” Like Melco, it has pledged to shift workers to other properties in Macau.
SJM announced the largest closures with seven of its nine satellites set to shut. Properties on the block include Casa Real, Emperor Palace, Fortuna, Grandview, Kam Pek Paradise, Landmark and Legend Palace.
However, SJM did set out plans to acquire the two others. Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau will be added to the company’s portfolio and shifted to a directly managed model.
