• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau labour groups applaud casino pause amid typhoon

Sep 17, 2018 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau labour groups applaud casino pause amid typhoon

Some of Macau’s most outspoken labour groups have praised the government’s decision to order the blanket suspension of operations in the city’s casinos during Typhoon Mangkhut, a category 10 storm that struck the region over the weekend.

Representatives from these groups told GGRAsia on Monday that the government’s decision was appropriate, as it took into consideration the safety of casino employees.

Casino operations in Macau were paused at 11pm on Saturday, according to a government release that day. It was understood to be the first time in the modern era of public gaming concessions that the city’s casinos had been told by the local authorities to close for a time.

The city’s gaming venues were allowed to resume operations today at 8am, after the typhoon category was lowered to Signal No. 3.

Choi Kam Fu, director general of the Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff’s Association and deputy managing director of the Federation of Trade Unions, said that the timely decision to suspend gaming operations was a “relatively good experience,” as it ensured the safety of casino employees.

Cloee Chao, director of the New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association, said her group was pleased with the measures taken to deal with the severe storm. “This was humane and it’s really the first time for Macau to put such measures in place,” Ms Chao told GGRAsia.

Following the lowering of typhoon signal No. 8, most casinos resumed operations today after 8am. Mr Choi said however that the coordination for staff to report to work still has room to improve.

“Some of the employees might live in mainland China … but they were informed to report to work at the same time as the Border Gate [crossing] was to reopen,” Mr Choi told us. “This causes inconvenience, with some of the staff worried about what would happen if they could not report to work on time,” he added.

Mr Choi suggested that casino firms could be more flexible and should provide more guidance in a timely manner, in order to minimise any eventual disruption.

Since most businesses in Macau suspend their operations once typhoon signal No. 8 is hoisted, it makes sense for the casino sector to follow that practice, noted Ms Chao.

“We think that it [the suspension of casino operations during typhoon signal No. 8] is necessary, as it is unsafe to travel to and from your workplace under severe weather conditions,” she said.

Ms Chao added: “This suspension is proof that shutting down all casinos for a period of time won’t bring a huge [negative] impact to Macau.”

Investment analysts covering the Macau gaming industry said they expect the government’s decision to have a negative impact on September’s casino gross gaming revenue, to the tune of at least MOP1.1 billion (US$136.2 million).


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts EBITDA break even 4Q
    Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts...

    Feb 26, 2021  

  • SJM posts US$390mln 2020 loss, Cotai scheme in 1H
    SJM posts US$390mln 2020 loss, Cotai...

    Feb 23, 2021  

More news
  • LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock listing: spokesman
    LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock...

    Mar 04, 2021  

  • Pansy Ho again cuts stake in MGM Resorts, for US$57mln
    Pansy Ho again cuts stake in MGM...

    Mar 04, 2021  


Latest News

LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock listing: spokesman

LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock listing: spokesman

Mar 04, 2021  

Casino group Las Vegas Sands Corp intends to keep its headquarters and its current stock listing in the United States, a spokesman told GGRAsia in response to our enquiry. “The company plans to...
Read More
Pansy Ho again cuts stake in MGM Resorts, for US$57mln

Pansy Ho again cuts stake in MGM Resorts, for US$57mln

Mar 04, 2021  

Nevada sell-off by LVS may aid dividend return: Bernstein

Nevada sell-off by LVS may aid dividend return: Bernstein

Mar 04, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

“Asia remains the backbone of this company and our developments in Macau and Singapore are the centre of our attention”

Robert Goldstein

Chairman and chief executive of casino operator Las Vegas Sands



Most Popular

  • Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock awardLim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock award March 2, 2021
  • Galaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel towerGalaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel tower March 1, 2021
  • Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entryCovid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entry March 2, 2021
  • Macau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govtMacau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govt March 1, 2021
  • Las Vegas Sands to sell off Nevada assets for US$6.25blnLas Vegas Sands to sell off Nevada assets for US$6.25bln March 3, 2021
Copyright 2014-2021 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us