Buenos Aires Province Casino Unions Secure 7% Pay Rise in New Collective Deal
2026-07-15
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Buenos Aires Province casino workers will receive a 7% pay rise across two stages in mid-2026, alongside improved family allowances, contract permanency, and enhanced bonuses, following months of collective bargaining between unions AMS and AECN and provincial authorities.
Agreement Reached After Months of Talks
Casino employees across Buenos Aires Province have secured a new wage package through collective bargaining, delivering a total pay increase of 7 percent split into two instalments. The deal was confirmed by unions AMS and AECN, ending a period of stalled negotiations that had prompted calls for renewed talks earlier this year.
Wage Increase Structure
The agreement applies a 5% rise effective July 1, 2026, followed by an additional 2% from August 1, 2026, both calculated on the June 2026 salary base. The increases cover category pay, a remunerative bonus, a 2025 casino regularization bonus, a cash discrepancy supplement, and an uprooting allowance for staff assigned away from home.
Family Allowances and Contract Conversions
Income thresholds for family allowance eligibility have been raised, with the maximum household limit moving to approximately ARS 3.5 million ($2,370) from July, and rising by another 2% in August. Contracted workers will transition to permanent employee status from October 1, 2026, provided all documentation is submitted by August 15, 2026.
Additional Benefits and Reclassifications
The compensatory bonus will increase from 24% to 27.5% starting September 1, with a review clause included, affecting both hourly workers and retired staff benefits. A new vacation-period uprooting payment was agreed for employees at annex casinos who work there longer than nine months. Meanwhile, supervisors in Control de Valores roles will be reclassified to Category 20, a higher job grade within the provincial pay scale. For the first time, summer vacations have been authorized for staff at casinos in Mar del Plata, Pinamar, Miramar, Necochea and Monte Hermoso.
Monitoring and Future Talks
AECN stated the deal includes a monitoring clause valid through August, with negotiations set to resume in September. This agreement represents the latest milestone in a lengthy wage dispute. In January, AMS formally urged provincial authorities to reopen bargaining after unions rejected an earlier offer, arguing it failed to match inflation or restore lost purchasing power.