Following the Las Vegas shooting last month, authorities in Macau have improved security and unveiled plans for a series of mock attacks and crisis training.
The new recommendations were revealed in a government statement after a meeting between Macau’s gaming regulators and representatives from the six licensed casino operators.
The former Portuguese colony experienced frequent gang violence and bombings until China took control in 1999. Since the handover, rising casino revenues have propelled the tiny enclave of 600,000 people to one of the world’s richest cities.
The Las Vegas attack on October 1 was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Stephen Paddock opened fire from his hotel room on more than 20,000 concertgoers at an outdoor venue. A total of 59 people were killed, including Paddock who shot himself.
“A simulation of attacks should be conducted in the short term so that frontline casino workers are more skilled in handling emergency incidents,” the statement from the Macau authorities said.
Other measures included setting up a special action team with protective equipment and additional physical training for frontline staff to help reduce any casualties in any potential situations before police arrive.
Casinos will also install metal detectors at all entrances and place a ban on luggage on the casino floors. Operators also need to train their employees to identify suspicious people and increase overall security procedures.
Macau’s casino operators - Wynn Macau, Sands China, MGM China, Melco Crown, SJM and Galaxy Entertainment - had already been on alert following an attack in June at a Manila casino where a lone gunman started a blaze that killed more than 30 people.
