Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau has confirmed that an amended law prohibiting off-duty gaming workers from entering the city’s casinos will come into effect on 27 December 2019.
The amendment to the Gaming Participation Law, passed by the Legislative Assembly in December 2018, will see around 54,000 gaming workers banned from entering Macau’s casinos, including around 46,000 casino employees and 8,000 employed by junket operators. The ban does not only cover those staff directly involved with gaming operations but also extends to cashier, cage staff, F&B workers, cleaners, security and more.
The DICJ revealed on Tuesday that it held a seminar earlier this week for representatives of Macau’s six concessionaires and other stakeholders at which it detailed the legal requirements of the ban, new responsible gambling measures, law enforcement procedures, reporting and inquiry methods.
Operators were also asked to provide a list of employees covered by the ban.
The DICJ said it will “continue to promote multi-channel publicity to ensure that gaming workers understand the new law prohibiting entry into the casino, and will also maintain close ties with the industry to jointly promote responsible gambling and better protect the physical and mental health of gaming workers.”
Under the terms of the amended law, workers found to be in a casino outside of work hours would face fines of between MOP$1,000 and MOP$10,000.
However, employees will be allowed to enter casinos on the first three days of the Lunar New Year and for work-related activities such as training.
