Over the past six months, SJM has opened three new casinos and expanded others. Now the biggest of SJM's 15, Greek Mythology Casino opened in late December with 223 tables, replacing the New Century Hotel's previous small casino.

Greek Mythology was to become Macau's biggest casino with the opening of a second phase with 272 tables by the Lunar New Year, but though construction has been completed, spokesman Angus Ho said the dealer shortage is preventing the casino from using the extended public gaming floor.

``There is a bottleneck,'' he said, but added that SJM has supplied enough dealers for Greek Mythology to open eight VIP rooms with a total of 24 tables. The casino has also opened a slot-machine area with about 50 machines.

``We are training dealers but there's still a shortage,'' said Michael Swing, SJM's regional casino manager. SJM has about 500 recruits enrolled in its two-month training program but has openings for at least 200 more dealers.

Swing said the shortage has forced SJM to leave tables idle in several casinos and is threatening growth plans for this year. SJM is scheduled to open a casino with at least 60 tables in the new hotel to be opened by Emperor Entertainment Hotel in September.

Swing said the shortage is also affecting competitors Sands Macau and Galaxy Waldo. However, a manager at the Sands said the casino has all the dealers it needs for the moment. Officials at Galaxy Casino did not respond to requests for comment, but the company is scheduled to open its second casino by year-end.

Government figures released this week showed a 29 percent vacancy rate in the employment category that includes dealers, cage cashiers and pit bosses.

As of December 31, there were 4,646 unfilled positions, a 36 percent increase on the previous survey last June 30. Despite the growing shortage, the survey said that average pay for workers in this job class fell 5 percent to 11,420 patacas (HK$11,087) a month from June 30.

The survey reported 2,458 casino job openings in other categories, up 64 percent since June 30. Most of these are vacancies in the category that includes slot-machine attendants and security staff.

A separate government report this week found 9,800 unemployed workers in the territory for the December-February period, 20 percent fewer than the same time a year earlier.

Managers from SJM and the Sands say they have only been recruiting Macau residents as dealers on the understanding the government requires residency. However, Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau director Manuel Joaquim das Neves said the government demands only that priority be given to residents. zach.coleman@singtaonewscorp.com