Macau gaming operator SJM Resorts has announced a “special discretionary bonus” for its employees, equivalent to one month’s salary. This bonus will be distributed on January 20, 2025, signaling the start of the annual bonus announcement period for the city’s gaming sector. The news, revealed in an internal memo from Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu Fung, highlights the company’s appreciation for its staff’s dedication over the past year.

SJM Resorts kicks off Macau’s gaming bonus season:

The memo, which was later shared by the New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association, emphasized that the bonus serves as a token of gratitude for the “contribution and outstanding performance” of the employees. According to Macau Business, Ho noted, “SJM Resorts continuously optimized and innovated its products and service experiences in 2024, achieving steady improvements in business development that are inseparable from the hard work of every team member.”

SJM Resorts is the first among Macau’s six gaming operators to unveil a discretionary bonus for 2025. Nearly 98% of the company’s staff are expected to benefit from this incentive, which underscores the operator’s commitment to employee recognition. However, the memo did not mention whether there would be any salary increases in the coming year, a topic eagerly anticipated by employees across the sector.

In 2024, all six of Macau’s major gaming operators provided both a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary and a 2.5% salary increase for their staff. This marked a positive shift after four consecutive years of salary freezes caused by the pandemic’s economic impact and subdued operating performance.

Broader context: earnings and pay trends:

The gaming industry in Macau has experienced a steady recovery, with official data revealing an 8.2% year-on-year increase in average monthly earnings for employees as of June 2024, reaching MOP26,750 (approximately USD3,349). Local employees saw an 8.1% rise in earnings, averaging MOP26,710, while non-resident workers experienced a more significant surge, with earnings increasing by 14.1% to MOP28,410.

The broader outlook on salary increases in Macau’s gaming sector often depends on decisions made by the government regarding civil service pay. Historically, these decisions have set benchmarks for private employers across the city.

Former chief executive Ho Iat Seng did not propose any salary adjustments for Macau’s 34,000 civil servants in his 2024 budget. The decision has now been deferred to his successor, Sam Hou Fai, who assumed office on December 20, 2024. Sam’s stance on civil service pay will likely be clarified during his Policy Address for 2025, expected early next year.