MGM China and Melco Continue Tradition of Discretionary Staff Bonuses

Macau’s gaming giants MGM China and Melco Resorts have joined peers in upholding the sector’s year-end discretionary bonus custom, pledging one-month salary bonuses for almost 96% of employees to recognize their 2025 contributions.

Payments will commence on January 21, with MGM confirming near-companywide eligibility (97%) for its 2026 cycle under similar timing. The resort operator, which manages MGM Macau and MGM Cotai, framed the bonuses as an acknowledgement of workforce dedication amid industry recovery efforts. This move aligns with broader concessionaire trends, as all six licensed casino firms now participate in Macau’s established compensation ritual during the post-holiday financial period.

Melco Bonus Wave

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has extended Macau’s casino bonus to Hong Kong staff, announcing a one-month discretionary payment for eligible non-management employees across both regions, with full distribution targeted by January 31. The move positions Melco as the second concessionaire to activate this year’s compensation cycle.

Leadership at both Melco and MGM China explicitly tied the bonuses to 2025 performance metrics.

MGM’s Pansy Ho emphasized the “dedication and hard work of our team” as central to the decision, linking the payments to operational advancements under the “Originality + Innovation” principle aimed at boosting Macau’s global tourism standing.

Melco CEO Laurence Ho mirrored the rationale, stating, “The discretionary bonus payment acknowledges our colleagues’ dedication and support throughout the past year,” according to Inside Asia Gaming. “We sincerely appreciate their loyalty and commitment in consistently exceeding guest expectations, which together help the company maintain and excel its leadership position within the entertainment and hospitality Industry.”

Sector-Wide Bonus Coordination

Macau gaming operators synchronized the year-end staff incentives, with Galaxy Entertainment Group’s initial bonus declaration prompting coordinated moves across concessionaires. MGM China became the fourth operator to confirm 2025 salary bonuses, while Melco followed Galaxy as the second early adopter.

Positive Financials Drive Bonuses

Financial performance underpinned the announcements. Melco disclosed an 11.4% annual revenue growth to US$1.31 billion for Q3 2025, fueled by a 12.4% gaming revenue jump to US$1.06 billion. MGM China abstained from financial disclosures, instead emphasizing non-quantitative achievements such as service innovation and operational streamlining as the reasons for its rewards. The staff bonuses align with the city’s push for diversified tourist appeal, framing payments as investments in service quality.