NEWS & NOTES

Some 1,300 people marched outside Melco Resorts’ City of Dreams Macau on August 8, demanding better pay and a “summer bonus” for staff. Cloee Chao of the labor group Professional for Gaming of New Macau told reporters that employees are also concerned about Melco’s retirement benefits fund and its enforcement of smoking control policy inside casinos. ● The People’s Liberation Army of China celebrated its 91^st year earlier this month. At the time, PLA Macau Garrison Commander Major General Liao Zhengrong said the local PLA is the “magic cudgel” that will uphold the stability of Macau and uphold the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. ● Sands China has launched a major campaign on the topic of workplace respect. The initiative for 28,000 employees began this month. Sands President and CEO Wilfred Wong said the company must maintain “the highest possible moral and ethical standards within the company.” ● In the wake of record-breaking losses on pokies in the Australian state of Victoria, local councils are uniting to demand change. Eighteen Victorian councils from have joined the Alliance for Gambling Reform in a campaign called “The Pokies Play You,” which will push for changes ahead of the November election. ● The number of visitors to Singapore rose 7.6 percent in the first six months of 2018 to nearly 9.2 million, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. Travelers from Greater China made up about 24 percent of the total at nearly 2.2 million arrivals, an increase of 10 percent on the prior-year period. Indian visitors comprised 8 percent of the total, for an increase of nearly 17 percent year-on-year. ● Ten smoking lounges inside two Macau casinos have been approved by the city Health Bureau under new, stronger technical standards. Eleven gaming halls have filed an aggregate 68 requests for approval of smoking lounges. In 2014 Macau banned smoking on casino mass floors and limited it to enclosed smoking lounges without gaming machines or tables. • SkyCity Entertainment is reportedly negotiating to sell its Darwin casino in Australia, its only casino outside of New Zealand. According to reports the buyer is a Taiwan-based Pau Jar Group. The Australian reports: “SkyCity Entertainment’s sale of its Darwin casino is moving towards a conclusion, with Taiwan’s Pau Jar Group said to be circling it.” A spokesman for SkyCity said the property has not been sold, but “There are some people looking at the property.” Reportedly SkyCity seeks $200 million. Pau Jar Group develops resorts, homes and commercial properties throughout Asia and the Pacific. • Las Vegas’ Culinary Union has reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Downtown Grand. Details of the agreement, which covers 190 employees, were not released. As of last week, around 3,300 Culinary members were still without contracts at six properties: D Las Vegas, Golden Gate, El Cortez, SLS Las Vegas, Treasure Island and Margaritaville at the Flamingo. • Lady Gaga has signed with Park MGM on the Las Vegas Strip for a 27-show residency at the Park Theater starting December 28. Tickets are slated to go on sale this week.