Trainers and jockeys at Macau Jockey Club were planning to strike over a recent decision to reduce prize money by 30% before the organization agreed to delay any such reduction just before last Saturday’s race meeting, IAG has learned.
The strike threat was issued after MJC announced recently that it would reduce prize money as of 18 November 2023 due to the club’s precarious financial situation, which has already brought into question its ability to stay afloat beyond the current racing season.
“Due to the below expectation betting turnover over the years, the Club has reluctantly implemented a corresponding policy adjustment,” MJC said in announcing the prize money reduction.
“Effective from the race day of 18 November 2023, there will be a 30% reduction in prize money. We aim to sustain the Club’s stable operation despite the challenges in the economy.”
However, after this announcement was made public, some MJC staff issued an open letter to management on 14 November which claimed that trainers and jockeys would take action contacting the Macau Chief Executive, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) and the Labour Affairs Bureau. The letter also promised that, should there be a prize money reduction or fewer races at the 18 November meet they would strike.
The open letter noted that that trainers and jockeys rely on such prize money for their income, and that any downward adjustment would have an “extremely serious impact on their livelihood, coupled with the fact that all the staff concerned are the mainstay of their family’s livelihood and income, making the situation a very serious one.”
The situation was temporarily resolved following a meeting between trainers, jockeys and MJC senior management last Friday 17 November, with MJC opting to maintain the status quo for last Saturday’s meet.
Nevertheless, IAG has heard rumors that MJC may still look to reduce the number of races from five to either three or four on each race day from December onwards.
A source close to the situation said the actions of trainers and jockeys had caused quite a stir in the industry, and that the government was also deeply concerned about the issue.
“Even though last Saturday’s races went off without a hitch, there are already rumors in the industry that MJC will reduce the number of races in December, with the worst-case scenario being to reduce the number of races to three on each race day,” the source said.
MJC has not replied to IAG’s inquiries.
The Club previously announced on 8 September that the 2023/2024 season had been approved by the Macau government with the first meet taking place on 29 September, despite concerns that the government was close to shutting MJC down for good.
As reported by IAG, MJC has not increased its number of staff since the COVID-19 outbreak and had stopped the recruitment process for new staff.
DICJ data shows betting turnover of just MOP$51 million (US$6.3 million) in 3Q23, down 63% compared with 2019 levels.
