A member of Macau’s Legislative Assembly (AL) says he has received requests for assistance from a number of casino dealers claiming the proliferation of smart gaming tables on the city’s gaming floors is a potential occupational safety and health hazard.
The eye-raising suggestion was included in a written interpellation sent to the government by AL member Leong Sun Iok, implying that the design of smart tables is flawed and is resulting in repetition injuries to employees in the course of their work.
The interpellation specifically refers to “the well-intentioned replacement arrangement for smart gaming tables, the performance of which in fact fails to suit the work of the practitioners [and] has instead caused stress to the staff.
“Individual casino dealers have reflected that the new equipment has caused wear and tear on the hands of staff [because] they are required to complete an operation within a few seconds. Repeating the same action over a long period of time with great effort will lead to occupational diseases such as muscular strain and joint pain, etc.”
Leong Sun Iok has urged the government to closely monitor new equipment used in Macau’s casinos and to strengthen communication with gaming companies and their employees in order to formulate and implement specific measures to improve the occupational safety and health of workers in the industry.
He also suggested the government require concessionaires to conduct comprehensive occupational safety and health risk assessments before introducing new equipment and to submit relevant reports for scrutiny.
Smart gaming tables are becoming increasingly common in Macau, with at least four concessionaires said to have completed rollout of the technology across all of their mass baccarat tables. Smart table supplier Angel Group confirmed this week that it had completed implementation of its technology in Sands China’s properties, while Galaxy and Wynn are said to have also joined early mover MGM China in completing roll-out.
