Bowie confident of MGM’s revenue growth this Sept

MGM hosted its “Local Talent Continuing Education Series” ceremony yesterday

MGM China’s CEO and executive director Grant Bowie is optimistic over the gaming operator’s revenue this September, after a slight increase in the sector’s revenue last month.
“I think the month will be reasonably consistent. We’re obviously hoping to see improvement year-on-year, he told the press on the sidelines of the event. “If we see that – particularly in the mass market – I think everyone will be happy,” he added.
Similarly, Bowie said tourist arrivals this Golden Week are “looking quite strong” and occupancy is “positive.” Yet he admitted that traditional holiday periods are not nearly as busy as they were in the past.
On the possibility of banning croupiers from gambling, Bowie argued that there is “never one solution to address those issues.”
“I’m not personally a supporter of banning people because what then happens is that if they break the ban, they could be committing an offense and I don’t think that issue of problem gaming [should be considered] a criminal offense,” he explained. “I think it’s a social issue. It needs to be managed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the executive director said it is challenging to hire local workers in a market where the unemployment rate is low. However, he is confident they will achieve the quality and number of people needed to open MGM’s property in Cotai, revealing that some of its current employees would also transfer to the new casino resort.
“I think we’re now getting back to a much healthier employment market,” he said, adding that MGM has to be a place where the employees want to work.
Among the 6,000 employees needed for the upcoming resort, about half of the positions are for gaming.

‘Continuing education series’ kicks off

MGM Macau hosted its “Local Talent Continuing Education Series” ceremony yesterday, presenting its learning and development strategy, and long-term commitment to nurturing local talent. The presentation included a roadmap on diversifying skillsets through on-the-job training.
At the ceremony, the resort unveiled three talent development programs available to its employees. The three programs are held in partnership with the Labor Affairs Bureau, the Macao Polytechnic Institute, the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, and Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes.
The “Local Talent Continuing Education Series” will provide training programs including “Diploma in Gaming Management”, “Gaming Industry Occupational Quality Training”, and “MGM High School Diploma Program” with courses beginning in September.