Impact of Shutdown of Satellite Casinos in Macao on Employment: Minimal
In the gaming hub of Macau, the labor market has demonstrated resilience in the face of satellite casino closures, with minimal job losses and stable unemployment rates. Contrary to initial concerns, the current impact on employment has been limited, as the labor market has absorbed the restructuring without triggering a fresh wave of unemployment.
The government's proactive measures have played a significant role in this adaptation. Gaming concessionaires such as SJM, Galaxy, and Melco have been mandated to absorb all satellite casino employees into their existing operations, ensuring job security for local workers. Approximately 5,600 local employees were working in these satellite casinos, with the majority employed by concessionaires but assigned to satellite venues.
To further support affected employees, the Labour Affairs Bureau has offered job-matching services, vocational training, labor law consultations, and dedicated support hotlines and offices. This proactive approach has facilitated smoother labor market adjustments and helped workers reskill or transfer roles within the consolidated casino operations.
This stability is not unprecedented in Macau's gaming sector. In the past, the labor market has demonstrated resilience by adapting to regulatory changes without enduring prolonged unemployment spikes. Earlier disruptions were effectively managed through policy support and integration of workers into larger concessionaire operations, providing a model that is currently helping to mitigate the impact of satellite casino closures.
However, industry experts caution that smaller satellite casino companies may lack the resources to restructure under the new ownership restrictions, potentially putting local jobs at risk. In response, the Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) has called on the government to protect local employees amid fears of widespread layoffs due to potential satellite casino closures.
FAOM has requested employment transfer plans and professional retraining programs to support affected workers. The latest employment figures suggest that the worst effects from gaming sector reforms have passed, and the labor market has absorbed previous disruptions without causing a new wave of job losses. The number of unemployed residents stands at 7,200, most of whom had previously worked in the gaming, construction, and retail sectors.
Despite these challenges, both the general and local unemployment rates remained unchanged between March and May 2025 at 1.9% and 2.5% respectively. The labor participation rate of local residents decreased slightly to 61.3%, while the proportion of first-time job seekers among the unemployed decreased to 8.4%. The total labor force decreased slightly to 380,200.
Looking forward, the Macau labor market continues to adapt steadily, with no ongoing instability. This steady adaptation is a testament to the effective measures taken by the government, concessionaires, and labor unions to mitigate the impact of satellite casino closures and align with updated gaming laws.
References: [1] Macau Government Information Office. (2025). Employment Situation in Macau - May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.gia.gov.mo/en/news/2025/06/20250610-1730.aspx [2] Macau Daily Times. (2025). Macau Labor Affairs Bureau Provides Support to Affected Casino Employees. Retrieved from https://www.macautimes.com.mo/2025/04/15/news/macau-labor-affairs-bureau-provides-support-to-affected-casino-employees/ [3] Macau Business. (2025). Macau Labor Market Absorbs Satellite Casino Closures Without Major Job Losses. Retrieved from https://www.macaubusiness.com/2025/05/15/news/macau-labor-market-absorbs-satellite-casino-closures-without-major-job-losses/ [4] GGRAsia. (2025). Macau Labor Market Adapts to Satellite Casino Closures. Retrieved from https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-labor-market-adapts-to-satellite-casino-closures.html
- In the wake of satellite casino closures, local workers have been offered job-matching services, vocational training, and labor law consultations by the Labor Affairs Bureau, promoting a resilient labor market in Macau's gaming sector.
- Despite the fears of potential job losses among smaller satellite casino companies due to updated gaming laws, the majority of the 5,600 local employees, who were working in satellite casinos, have been absorbed into the larger concessionaire operations, ensuring continued employment in the sports-loving city of Macau, even amidst unfavorable weather conditions.
