Casinos accused of downplaying assaults on staff

Kelvin Choi speaks in a press conference attended by two of the alleged victims

Almost all local casino operators have allegedly turned a blind eye to their staff members’ personal security, which has long been at risk working under an increasingly insecure environment, said Kelvin Choi, director-general at the Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff’s Association during a press conference yesterday.
Accompanied by two victims who work as guards for the same casino in the Cotai Strip, Choi accused the local authorities of being incapable of maintaining order inside the casino premises, despite officers from the Judiciary Police (PJ) and Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau being stationed on site.
The association reported that mainland thieves have been rampant in gaming venues over the past two months, which, according to the association head, even resulted in physical violence inflicted on the security personnel. Deemed by the security personnel as “casino rats,” the perpetrators are capable of immediately retaliating against the guards with violence upon being caught scouting for targets.
Alternatively, perpetrators could also easily come back at the security personnel for revenge in the following few days, despite being blacklisted by the casino operators with denied access.
“Where has the on-site authorities’ efficiency and ability to function gone? We have so many doubts about this. The wounded staff even told us many times that they intended to hold those attackers responsible for their violence, but they were told by the PJ officers not to do so,” said Choi, recalling a case where a PJ officer had blamed a wounded security guard for being “too responsible and conscientious” on duty.
Having been subjected to an unexpected attack, victims who approach casino management for compensation or interference largely ended up being given a cold shoulder, according to Choi.
A female guard, who has been suffering from health problems after her head was severely struck by an ashtray twice last October, has told the media that her company failed to either protect her from potential revenge from the thief whom she had caught, or offer her any form of compensation to date.
“The ‘casino rat’ said he would beat me to death even if he were to be sent for execution,” said the victim who refused to be identified. “Almost one year after the incident, no one has ever asked me if I needed any assistance.” The company declined to give me legal assistance, citing the reason that the case has entered a judicial process, she continued.
The blow has reportedly cost her around MOP40,000 so far in medical treatment, which is not covered by the occupational insurance until a court verdict. To fund those expenses, as well as her family, the victim in her early fifties continued working, despite her doctor’s disapproval.
Another victim, a male who suffered a blow a fortnight ago from a pickpocket he had caught, received his compensation after he decided not to take the case to court. Also in his fifties, the man just wished to “get his money as soon as possible” to pay for his medical treatment required for his hurt right eye and neck.
The association head, who considered meeting with related authorities in the near future, hoped that the government could ramp up its efforts to combat the rising illegal activities inside casinos. He also urged local gaming companies to attach greater importance to their long-threatened employees’ security. Staff reporter