Macau casino workers face rising mental health challenges, study finds

A recent study has found widespread mental health concerns among Macau’s casino workforce, highlighting elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among unmarried, low-income, and shift-working employees.

The 2024 study, conducted by the Chinese Federation of Analytical Psychology in collaboration with the Macau Gaming Industry Employees Home and the City University of Macau, surveyed around 700 casino workers. It revealed that a significant portion reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression within a two-week period.

Researchers conducted follow-up interviews with 16 employees who disclosed experiencing mental health issues, identifying key stressors such as demanding workloads, financial pressures, inflexible scheduling, and corporate management structures.

“Uncertainty about the future ranked among the top concerns for young employees in the industry,” said Ying Zhe Hua, one of the study’s researchers, in an interview with local broadcaster TDM.

The looming end of the satellite casino transition period was also cited as a source of rising anxiety, particularly among younger workers uncertain about job stability and future prospects in the sector.

Chou Wai, the study’s academic advisor, called for immediate action, suggesting improvements to work-life balance policies within the industry.

To alleviate the problem, it is essential to optimise shift scheduling systems, Chou said, adding that the government should step up efforts to promote the use of counselling services.

The findings come at a time when Macau’s gaming industry is still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions and adjusting to regulatory and operational shifts, including changes affecting satellite casinos.