Macau casinos hired 2,500 new employees between July and September 2023

Employment statistics in Macau's gaming industry continue to rise. In the third quarter, from July to September 2023, 2,500 new employees were hired, according to the Statistics and Census Service of Macau.
With these new hires, the total number of people employed in the gaming sector reached 71,000 during the three-month period. This marks a 3.6% increase from the 68,500 employees recorded in the previous quarter.
However, the overall workforce in Macau's gambling and entertainment industry remains significantly below the record high of 87,500, which was officially recorded in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a downturn in business, forcing city casino operators to lay off thousands of employees. Over an 18-month period from April 2020 to September 2022, the industry's workforce shrank by more than 21,000, dropping to approximately 66,400 employees.
Following the lifting of travel restrictions, Macau's casino industry began a significant hiring spree. According to the statistical bureau, the number of people working in the gambling and entertainment sector in Macau increased by about 4,600 over a six-month period.
Despite the overall growth in employment statistics, some casino operators are planning to limit the hiring of new staff. Investment analysts covering the Macau gaming market report that gaming company management is keen to keep overall staffing levels below pre-pandemic figures. This is because operators found they could effectively manage their resorts with fewer employees during the pandemic. A leaner workforce is now viewed as a permanent cost-saving measure aimed at boosting profits.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, a full casino license has been approved, and the lease for Bally’s has been extended.