In Macau, a pair of masked men wielding pepper spray reportedly stormed into The Plaza Macao yesterday before terrorizing staff and making off with gaming chips worth in excess of $394,900.

Morning malevolence:

According to a Friday report from GGRAsia, the robbery took place at 5:35 in the morning and resulted in two members of staff encompassing a security guard and a dealer being injured as the two culprits frenetically pilfered chips from the venue’s high-limit gaming lounge.

GGRAsia reported that the felonious duo subsequently escaped the scene in a taxi with local law enforcement officials later revealing that they have yet to make any arrests in connection with the early morning incident.

Prominent presence:

The Plaza Macao is one of five Macau properties operated by the Sands China Limited subsidiary of American casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Situated inside the Four Seasons Macao hotel in the city’s Cotai Strip district, the venue features a 108,000 sq ft casino offering a selection of some 180 slots as well as approximately 140 gaming tables.

Ongoing investigation:

Following the theft, Hong Kong-listed Sands China Limited reportedly issued an official statement declaring that the incident ‘is being investigated by the authorities’ and that it was ‘fully cooperating with their investigation’.

Reportedly read the statement from Sands China Limited…

“The affected team members received prompt medical attention and the company is following up on their well-being as team members’ safety is of paramount importance to the company. Sands China Limited has no further comment at this time.”

Wicked week:

GGRAsia reported that this is the second serious incident to have occurred at The Plaza Macao in the last week after four Chinese nationals were stabbed on May 18 while passing below a footbridge that connects the property to the nearby Sands Cotai Central integrated casino resort. This episode left one of the victims fatally wounded although local police purportedly proclaimed that there was no indication that the crimes had been ‘gaming-related’.

Coming together:

In response to this Saturday incident, local law enforcement officials reportedly held a meeting with the operator’s casino staff alongside representatives from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau regulator where all of the parties agreed to establish mechanisms that will allow them to ‘speedily and effectively’ communicate should another such event related to gaming take place.