The implementation of smart gaming tables in Macau seems to have encountered some issues. Nearly 1,000 gaming table supervisors in Macau casinos have expressed dissatisfaction with their increasing workload, which smart tables have failed to alleviate.
This information was shared by Macau lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho, who stated in a written inquiry that he had asked the government to intervene after the complainants approached him for help.
According to him, during peak hours, each supervisor is required to manage six tables in the mass area, with some smart tables experiencing malfunctions that demand additional staff attention.
Casino supervisors pointed out that the gaming company’s current smart table system is not a complete version and is prone to errors during use, with issues occurring in “almost every game.” As a result, staff have to spend a significant amount of time investigating the causes of these problems, according to the legislator.
Originally, checking for errors in the smart table system was the responsibility of managers. Over the past year, this task has been assigned to gaming table supervisors, leading to a substantial increase in workload and a significant rise in stress levels. Many supervisors, without sufficient time for thorough checks, have handled their work carelessly, resulting in warning letters issued to them over the past year, he informs.
In this context, the casino staff are seeking help from the city’s labor bureau, describing the working conditions as “highly stressful.”
“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the gaming companies have avoided layoffs but have transferred a large number of gaming table supervisors to other roles,” the lawmaker wrote, quoting complaints.
“However, two years after the pandemic, the vacancies left by those who departed have not been filled,” the lawmaker added.
The written inquiry sent to the government did not identify the names of the casinos from which these complaints originated.
Smart gaming tables, commonly referred to as radio frequency identification (RFID) tables, constitute about 10 percent of all tables in Macau as of the second quarter of 2024.
All six gaming operators in Macau have revealed plans to implement smart gaming tables in the coming quarters. So far, MGM China is reportedly fully equipped with smart gaming tables in Baccarat games.
In a recent dispatch from Seaport regarding smart gaming tables, senior analyst Vitaly Umansky highlighted the significant impact of smart table technology on the gaming sector, pointing out that this technology is set to streamline casino operations, reduce human error, and provide valuable data insights.
Smart tables are equipped with advanced sensors and digital interfaces that allow for real-time tracking of game results, player behavior, and betting patterns.
According to another analysis from Citigroup, while smart gaming tables themselves cannot drive more foot traffic into casinos, the technology can expedite game play. Citigroup estimates that saving five seconds per game of Baccarat could translate to a 5.9 percent organic growth in gross gaming revenue (GGR).
