Gaming | Junket reverses decision to fire 200 employees

A local gaming promoter has reportedly reversed a decision to lay off some 200 staff members.

First reported by All In Media, a gaming industry news website, the report did not identify the junket operator said to have relieved 200 of its staff. However, it is believed to be one of the top five junkets in the city.

The website reported today that, “it is unknown whether the junket was under internal and external pressure in deciding to re-employ the laid-off employees.”

All In Media reported that the 200 workers had accounted for about one-quarter of the firm’s staff and included 20 in the marketing department, 30 from the concierge department and about 150 people “on the floor” and in administration.

All In Media said it was “understood” that the junket’s chief executive officer had personally met with the laid-off staff on Tuesday, trying to explain that the decision had been motivated by an uncertain market situation.

The CEO is reported to have told the group about the company’s uncertainty regarding whether tourists would start returning to Macau in the second or third quarters of this year. But the CEO said a shareholders meeting had been held and it was decided to reopen all offices, even if “this year will go down.”

Gross gaming revenue saw a record-breaking 87.8% year-on-year drop last month after casinos were forced to close for a 15-day period starting February 5. Gaming analysts are mixed in their outlook for March, though most expect an improvement. Even the most optimistic of analysts do not anticipate a general recovery before the third quarter at the earliest.

In response to media enquiries, Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said it was “highly concerned” about the reported layoffs, noting that it has appealed not only to casino operators, but also gaming intermediaries and equipment suppliers, to protect local employees as part of their corporate social responsibility commitments. DB