Key Moments:
- Macau’s gaming workforce fell 3.6 percent year-on-year by the end of September. This marked the lowest level since late 2023.
- Frontline betting job positions declined 6.6 percent, with only 38,800 workers employed
- The closure of satellite casinos is expected to impact 5,600 local and 400 non-resident workers
Gaming Employment Shrinks in Macau
Macau’s gaming sector has posted three straight quarters of year-on-year workforce declines. Government data shows the industry employed only 68,900 people at the end of September. This marks a 3.6 percent decrease from the previous year and represents the lowest employment figure since late 2023. Frontline roles such as croupiers and cage managers have been hit even harder, seeing a reduction of 6.6 percent to 38,800 workers.
Satellite Casino Closures Drive Job Losses
The reduction in gaming jobs has been closely associated with the phase-out of Macau’s satellite casinos. These casinos, long run through revenue-sharing deals between concessionaires and private investors, now face major changes under new gaming regulations. Starting next year, third-party owners will be restricted from sharing gaming revenue and may instead only collect management fees via approved management firms.
As a result, operators like SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment Group, and Melco Resorts & Entertainment have begun exiting the satellite-casino model. Of the 11 satellite venues reported in June, just six remain open, with Casino Casa Real scheduled to close on 21 November. The government anticipates that these closures will directly affect 5,600 local employees – 4,800 with concessionaires and 800 with satellite operators – along with approximately 400 non-resident workers. Authorities have requested that affected Macau residents be reassigned within core businesses, though some analysts believe this will not resolve deeper structural employment challenges.
Non-Gaming Sectors See Skill Shortages
The labor market strain has extended beyond the gaming industry. According to the 2025 Macau Investment Climate Statement issued by the US Department of State, persistent shortages of skilled professionals exist, especially in sectors outside gaming and tourism. The report notes that with an unemployment rate of only 1.7 percent, Macau’s current struggle is not job scarcity, but rather a shortage of suitable talent.
Labour policy contributes to these pressures. Specific roles such as croupiers, taxi drivers, and bus drivers are reserved for local residents. Foreign labor is only permitted when no eligible Macau resident is available, and while there were around 183,000 non-resident workers in the city in early 2025, they are excluded from minimum wage protections.
Casino operators have pledged $15 billion in non-gaming investments, yet efforts to diversify the economy have faltered due to the lack of a qualified workforce. Current recruitment programs have attracted only 521 highly skilled professionals, which observers argue is insufficient for any significant economic shift.
Table: Macau Gaming Sector Employment Trends
| Period | Total Gaming Workers | Year-on-Year Change (%) | Frontline Betting Positions | Year-on-Year Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of September | 68,900 | -3.6% | 38,800 | -6.6% |
Ongoing Labor Mismatch in Macau
The data and recent trends highlight a unique labor market paradox in Macau, as the world’s largest casino destination navigates simultaneous declines in gaming jobs and ongoing shortages in emerging, non-gaming roles. The city continues to face a pronounced gap between available skills and market needs, which remains a core concern for both policymakers and investors.
Upcoming Industry Event
Be part of the action at SiGMA South Asia, 30 Nov – 02 Dec 2025. Colombo becomes the heart of gaming as 5,000 delegates, 100+ speakers, and 1,000 operators gather under one roof. With high-value traffic, game-changing insights, and unforgettable networking, this is where new markets meet new horizons.
- Author
Daniel Williams
