MACAU, S.A.R. -- When you go to any Macau casino to play at the tables, chances are the one dealing you your set of cards will be a local of the gambling enclave.
This will be the trend in the foreseeable future after the Macau government shot down proposals to allow casinos to import dealers.
Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen, reiterated the government's stance of employing only locals to be dealers in casinos stating that there is presently no intention of reversing this employment policy.
Union Gaming Research analysts also said the policy is not likely to change "over the near or medium terms" and will result in a tighter labor market especially with several more hotels and casinos to open up.
According to UGR's Bill Lerner:
"As such, we expect upward pressure on wages to continue, likely in a range of 5% to 10% annually."
UGR analysts further noted that they see an increase in job hopping by employees among operators.
