According to the Official Gazette of the Macao SAR Government, three departmental heads at the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) have recently been replaced.
Two of the newly appointed directors previously served for many years at the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), prompting speculation of increased monitoring of locals employment ratios within the Macau gaming and integrated resort industry.
The Gazette indicates that Ieong Hoi Ian, who has served at the DICJ for nearly 20 years, was promoted to head of the Investigation Department on 8 September. Having joined the DICJ in 2006, she was previously promoted to head of the Inspection Division II of the DICJ in 2021.
One of the Investigation Department’s responsibilities is to conduct special investigations into concessionaires, their management companies and junkets. It may even investigate the appropriate qualifications of these entities.
The principal positions of Head of Inspection Division II and Head of Licensing Division of the Legal and Licensing Department are now held by Cheang Im Ha and Choi Kit Wa, respectively, both of whom have transitioned from DSAL.
Cheang assumed the role of Head of Inspection Division II on 8 September. She previously served at the Labour Affairs Bureau from 2005 to 2011. In October 2011, she transferred under the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, working for the Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT) as a Senior Technician and subsequently moving to the Transport Bureau in 2019 to serve again as a Senior Technician. Cheang has never previously worked at the DICJ although her records indicate she holds both a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws degree, demonstrating her academic background in legal studies.
Choi was appointed as Head of Licensing Division, Licensing Bureau, effective 8 September. She joined DSAL in 2007, initially as an Assistant Technical Officer. In 2010, she was promoted to Senior Technical Officer, a position she held until May 2025 (including a two-year stint as Departmental Head). She was then unexpectedly transferred to the DICJ as a Senior Technical Officer, subsequently rising to her current role as Head of the Licensing Division within the Licensing Department. Choi also holds a law degree.
Coincidentally, Lei Seak Chio, who was appointed as Deputy Director of the DICJ in February, also previously worked at DSAL for nearly 20 years.
The three newly appointed heads commenced their duties on 8 September, each serving a one-year term.
The Macao SAR Government has maintained a consistent focus on local employment in recent years, particularly within the region’s primary industry – the gaming industry.
Macau also introduced new requirements during the license renewal process for the city’s only sports betting concessionaire Macau SLOT earlier this year, mandating that a specified proportion of staff must be local employees.
The transfer of personnel from DSAL to the DICJ has prompted speculation regarding whether this will intensify monitoring of local staffing levels at concessionaires and other gaming companies.
Macau’s updated Gaming Law, implemented in 2022, stipulates that concessionaires are required to ensure the protection of labor rights and interests – and in particular the protection of labor rights, on-the-job training and upward mobility – of local employees.
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