Macau gaming operator lays off local employees without explanation, sparking concerns over job security, corporate responsibility, and government oversight.
Six local workers from a Macau casino company's office staff asked lawmakers for help after getting fired without warning on February 28th, according to a Chinese language report by allinmedia.
The company did not tell them why they lost their jobs, nor did they offer other positions, lawmaker Lam U Tou claimed.
The fired workers said other departments in the company are also cutting jobs. Rumors that the government secretly allowed casino companies to cut staff also spread. Five of Macau's six casino companies have started firing non-gaming workers, with only one company not yet making cuts.
For Lam, the company broke its duty to support local jobs. He also urged the government to look into the matter and help get the workers their jobs back.
How are Macau’s casinos currently faring out?
Macau's casino earnings have fallen recently. In December 2024, casinos made PHP 131.7 billion (MOP 18.2 billion, USD 2.28 billion). This was 2% less than the same month last year.
The drop got worse in January 2025. Earnings fell to PHP 132.1 billion (MOP 18.25 billion, USD 2.286 billion), which was 5.6% lower than January 2024.
Two main things caused these drops. First, Macau made stricter rules for big-spending VIP gamblers, cutting a major source of money. Second, money problems in mainland China meant fewer visitors came to Macau, and those who did spent less. Macau’s government earlier noted that their tourists have become more diverse, especially during the holiday season.
While this is the case, analysts are projecting a recovery amid the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Jobs Shrinking Despite Casino Recovery
Lam pointed out that while tourists and gamblers are coming back to Macau after COVID, the rest of the local economy is still having problems. Small businesses are struggling, and jobs for local people are getting harder to find.
Casino companies are making money again, yet they still had over 27,000 non-resident workers as of June 2024. Lam believes it's wrong for these companies to fire local workers while keeping so many foreign staff.
Lam says these firings set a bad example and make Macau's job market even worse. He wants the government to step in right away, study what's happening, and explain why casino companies can fire local workers without finding them new roles.
Read related article: ‘Macau Casino Outlook Tied to Chinese Economy’
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