“Responsible Gambling”
For most people, gaming is merely a form of leisure entertainment, and the activity is supposed to be enjoyable within an affordable amount of wager; but for some people, gaming affects their lives negatively, and may even turn them into problem gamblers (which include compulsive gambling and pathological gambling behaviors). In the long-run, it is necessary to minimize the damages inflicted on players and the community derives from gaming activities. Thus the promotion of the concept of Responsible Gaming can enhance the public awareness to the gaming information, and guide them to make informed choices according to their personal preferences, reducing the adversity cause by gaming, and is beneficial for the development of the gaming industry.
As the gaming industry in Macao develops, with the expansion on the availability of gaming facilities, the general pattern of the Macao residents’ participation in gaming has shifted accordingly in recent years. According to the “Macao Resident Participation in Gaming Activities Survey” conducted by Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, University of Macau in year 2003 and 2007, showed the prevalence of Problem Gambling had risen from 4.3% to 6%, and the results reflected that Problem Gambling is already sprawling into the local communities.
In order to minimize the negative
impact cause by the gaming industry, the Gaming Inspection & Coordination
Bureau and the relevant government departments, act according to their own
functions, maintain close contact with the gaming concessionaires and civic
organizations, to initiate works together in preventing gaming clients from
becoming problem gamblers and to help problem gamblers returning to normal
social life and work. In advertisements and educations, since year 2009, the
Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau and the
Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of University of Macau hold the
“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week” every year, to inform the public and
the gaming sector employees on the damages that can be inflicted by gaming
addictions, and to assist the gaming participants in constructing a
righteous attitude towards gaming. Also, to betterment the coordination on
advertisements and educations, the Macao SAR government gathered the
representatives and scholars from Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau,
the Social Welfare Bureau, the Education and Youth Bureau, the University of
Macao and the Macao Polytechnic Institute, in forming the interdepartmental
“Responsible Gaming Work Preparation Unit” and planning together the
responsible gaming policies and the general execution measures.
What is “Responsible Gambling”?
According to the precise definition given by the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, University of Macau, “Responsible gambling occurs in a properly regulated environment where one’s involvement in gambling activities brings no harm to the gambler, family members, friends, other gamblers, or casino staff; nor would it lead to negative consequences for the local community and residents. In other words, Responsible Gambling is a practice that confines the gabling-related damage to a socially acceptable level”.
To achieve this goal, the government, the players and their families and friends, gaming operators, problem gambling prevention and treatment centers, educational institutions, and other communities, must cooperate together, to ensure the players’ decisions on gaming are made under the circumstances of their own consciousness, and also that their participation in gaming are done responsibly to themselves, their families, friends, and to the society.
Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Centers
Prevention and treatment centers are public institutions that provide preventative and treatment services to problem gamblers. If you, your family, or friends are in need, the following institutes can offer help.
1. Problem Gambling Treatment Centers
The Resilience Center-Problem Gambling Counseling Service, Social Welfare Bureau of MSAR Government
Gabinete Coordenador dos Serviços Sociais Sheng Kung Hui Macau
Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship of Macau
Yat On Centre
2. Problem Gambling Preventative Centers
Macao Catholic Family Advisory Council
Macao New Chinese Youth Association
Federação das Associações dos Operários de Macau
Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau
Assoicaçào de Juventude Voluntáia de Macau
Bosco Youth Service Network
Responsible Gambling Promotional Activities
To demonstrate the rightful knowledge of the “Responsible
Gambling” concept to the public, Gaming Inspection and
Coordination Bureau cooperates with Social Welfare Bureau
and The Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of
University of Macao to host the responsible gaming
activities, and also co-hosts with the Civic and Municipal
Affair Bureau and Macao gaming enterprises. The hosting unit
through the organizing of series of promotional activities,
to promote the “Responsible Gambling” and “Problem Gambling
Prevention” information for the local Macao residents and
tourists. After four years of uninterrupted promotion, Macao
resident recognition to the term “Responsible Gambling” has
gradually risen from 23.7% in 2009 to 58.2% in 2012, and the
result is obvious.
“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2009”
In 2009, Gaming
Inspection & Coordination Bureau co-hosted the “Responsible
Gambling Awareness Week” with Social Welfare Bureau
and the Institute for the Study of
Commercial Gaming of University of Macau for the first time;
a series of promotional activities were carried out from
October 15th to December 31st.
Beside the invitation of the six local
games of fortune operators to participate, the event also
invited local problem gambling prevention and treatment
centers, social service department of Gabinete Coordenador
dos Serviços Sociais Sheng Kung Hui, Industrial Evangelistic
Fellowship of Macau, Yat On Centre, Macao Catholic Family
Advisory Council, Macao New Chinese Youth Association, Macao
Federation of Trade Unions, Young Men’s Christian
Association of Macau, Assoicação de Juventude Voluntária de
Macau, and Bosco Youth Service Network to participate as
co-hosts.
The purpose of the
event is to promote the proper concept of Responsible Gaming
to the general public, gaming operators, problem gambling prevention and treatment
centers, and social communities, and also, to introduce the
roles and duties of government departments, gaming
operators, prevention and treatment centers, educational
institutes and the players themselves, under the concept of
Responsible Gaming.
The Main Activities
included:
-
Though the use of billboards to advertise the
concepts of Responsible Gaming and demonstrated these
advertisements in local educational institutions, gaming
enterprises, and other public spaces. Local
problem gambling treatment and preventative centers were
invited for the billboards posting activities; other
promotional activities included advertisements on public
transportations, in theaters and though television
broadcasting, in casinos and employees rest areas, and also
inside hotels etc.
-
Hosted
the “Responsible Gambling
Symposium: People, Practice and Policy”. Participants
included scholars and professionals from Canada, United
Kingdom, Beijing, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macao.
-
Responsible Gambling
Awareness Survey. The purpose is to study local residents
and tourists’ awareness of Responsible Gambling on a
continuous basis.
Brochures of “Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
2009”
Highlights
of the Activities 2009 (Photos)
“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2010”
In 2010, Gaming
Inspection & Coordination Bureau co-organized with Social Welfare Bureau and the
Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of University
of Macau again, on Responsible Gaming promotion activities;
from the 21st of August to the 31st of
December, a series of activities were hosted for the
“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2010”. The local
gaming operators and the problem gambling treatment and
preventative centers in Macao continued to participate as
co-hosting institutions. The activities were themed as
“Responsible Gambling Behavior”, and aimed with the purpose
of progressively strengthening the senses and behaviors of
responsible gaming among the local citizens and tourists.
The Main Activities included:
-
Though
the posting on billboards to demonstrate of the eight
perspectives of Responsible Gaming, including “Understanding
the risk of Gambling”, “No ‘Way’ to Predict the result”,
“The longer one gambles, the more one losses”, “Small bet is
fun”, “Never borrow to gamble”, “Set a time limit when
gambling”, “Don’t gamble when you are drunk” and “Seek help
proactively”, in local educational institutions, in gaming
facilities, and in other public spaces Macao’s problem
gambling treatment and preventative centers were invited to
participate in the billboard posting activities; promotion
efforts though other channels included the advertisements on
public transportations, advertisements in cinemas and though
television broadcasting, posting in casinos, employee rest
areas, and inside hotels.
-
Hosted
the “Cross-Strait Responsible
Gambling Summit”. The organizing committee specially
invited Professor Alexander Blaszczynski of Sydney
University and director of corporate responsibility of
British Columbia Lottery Corporation of Canada, Mr. Paul W.
Smith, to give keynote speeches at the summit. Professional
participants from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and
Macao attended the event.
-
Responsible Gambling Awareness Survey. The purpose is
to study local residents and tourists’ awareness of
Responsible Gaming on a continuous basis.
-
“Introduction to Problem Gambling and Responsible
Gambling for Gaming Sector Employees” trainer program and
manual; provide the above mentioned tutorial and manual for
gaming operators and associates for the purpose of effective
pedagogy of the contents for all Macao’s gaming sector
employees.
Brochures of “Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
2010”
Highlights of the Activities 2010 (Photos)
“Responsible Gambling 2011”
The theme of
the year 2011 promotion activities was “Responsible Gambling
Operations and Responsible Gambling Behaviors”, and these
activities were targeted towards Macao residents and
tourists in broadly promoting “Responsible Gambling
Behaviors”, and also to encourage gaming operators to
promote and refine the “Responsible Gambling Business Code
of Conduct” in order to help reduce the risk of casino
employees from being addicted to gaming.
To broaden the
recognition of the promotion, in 2011, beside the original
six casino gaming concessionaires that already participated,
Macao Jockey Club,
Macao Slot
Company Limitied,
Macao Yat Yuen Canidrome and Sociedade de Lotarias Wing Hing, Limitada joined in the list
as co-host units.
The Promotion Activities include:
-
Hosted the first “18·21 Responsible Gambling Drama Competition”, which corresponds to Macao SAR government tuned up the minimum age of entering casino from 18 years to 21 years. The theme of the competition was framed as “After raising the restriction of entering casinos and betting centers from age of 18 to the age of 21, what changes and challenges Macao youth will face in terms of their gambling behavior, work altitude, and academic work?”
-
Invited every Macao gaming enterprises and problem gambling prevention centers to participate in billboard promotion activities which took place in all Macao major public resting areas, gaming enterprises employee resting areas, and in major colleges, to demonstrate the relevance information on “Responsible Gambling Operations and Responsible Gambling Behaviors”. In Macao and Taipa, large outdoor advertisement billboards were being posted respectively. Advertisement products were made and given out to local residents and tourists; and also though advertisements on television, radio, cinemas and public buses.
-
Hosted the “Responsible Gambling Forum: Business and
Conduct”. The forum provided a platform for scholars,
research institutes, gaming operators, problem gambling
prevention institutes and gamers, to exchange and discuss
responsible gambling works; the host invited United Kingdom
and Australia responsible gambling areas expert scholars,
such as Mark Griffiths and Lynned Bertolini, to present
speeches on the specialized topic.
-
“Responsible Gambling” prize quiz competition and lucky draw
activities.
-
Carried out a “Responsible Gambling” awareness survey, with
the purpose of evaluating the level of “Responsible
Gambling” awareness among Macao residents after the
activities.
Brochures of "Responsible Gambling
2011"
“Responsible Gambling 2012”
The theme of
year 2012 was “Seek Help Proactively”; through the
activities, the purpose was to advertise to local Macao
residents and tourists about “Responsible Gambling”, enrich
their knowledge to the local responsible gambling prevention
institutes, and to encourage gaming participants with
recessive gambling problems, and their families to seek help
actively.
To provide more
convenient and more comprehensive responsible gambling
information to local Macao residents and tourists, and to
enrich their knowledge on “Responsible Gambling”, the host
unit announced the setup of “Responsible Gambling Kiosk”,
and startup development and evaluation work in year 2012.
On the 17th December 2012, “Responsible Kiosk
(Pilot Test)” was setup inside the six casinos.
The Major Promotion Activities include:
-
To accord the setup of “Responsible Gambling Kiosk”, the host unit conducted a “Responsible Gambling Kiosk Ambassador” training program, the content focused on the operation of the Kiosk, promotion and information related mainly to responsible gambling. After completion from the training program, students qualify as responsible gambling Kiosk ambassadors, and can promote “Responsible Gambling” concepts to local residents and tourists.
-
Invited every Macao gaming enterprises and problem gambling prevention centers to participate in billboard promotion activities which took place in all Macao major public resting areas, gaming enterprises employee resting areas, and in major colleges, to demonstrate the relevant information on “Responsible Gambling” and “Seek Help Proactively”, and also the responsibilities of gaming enterprises promotion of responsible gambling and the hosting of related activities. In Macao and Taipa, large outdoor advertisement billboards were being posted respectively. Advertisement products were made and given out to local residents and tourists; and also through advertisements on television, radio, cinemas and public buses.
-
Hosted the responsible gambling “Seek Help Proactively” drama competition, themed as “Seek Help Proactively”: including gaming participants and their relatives actively providing care, through actively seeking professional treatment, and casino exclusion etc.
-
Hosted the first “Responsible Gambling Four Boxes Comic Creativity Competition”, the competition was divided into student category: “Whose Responsibilities” and open category: “Seek Help Proactively”.
-
“Responsible Gambling” prize quiz competition and luck draw activities.
-
Carried out a “Responsible Gambling” awareness survey, with the purpose of evaluating the level of “Responsible Gambling” awareness among Macao residents after the activities.
Brochures of "Responsible Gambling
2012"
Snapshots of the Responsible Gambling Promotional Activities
2012
“Responsible Gambling 2013”
Co-organized by
the Social Welfare Bureau of Macau SAR, Gaming Inspection
and Coordination Bureau of Macau SAR and the Institute for
the Study of Commercial Gaming, University of Macau, the
Responsible Gambling series activities have been
successfully held for 5 years. In 2013, the promotion theme
was “Community Support” which aimed to arouse the concern
and attention on responsible gambling issues to the
government, gaming operators, problem gambling prevention
and treatment centers, educational institutes, community
organizations and local residents. In addition, we also
hope that all stakeholders can actively participate and
support our activities.
The Major Promotion Activities include:
-
During the promotion period, the organizers distributed
posters and roll-up banners to the gaming operators and
problem gambling prevention and treatment centers.
Moreover, we distributed more than 19,000 RG badges to the
participating organizations and encouraged their staffs to
wear the badges for one month or above.
-
The gaming operators had held different RG campaigns in
their respective operations. During the promotion
period, they organized RG day/week and also provided
trainings to the employees so as to reinforce their
awareness on responsible gambling.
-
One of the organizers – the Social Welfare Bureau of Macau
SAR had subsidized six NGOs to conduct varies activities,
for strengthening the knowledge of local residents on RG
through interactive games. The six NGOs are Macau New
Chinese Youth Association, Young Men’s Christian Association
of Macau, Sheng Kung Hui Gambling Counseling and Family
Wellness Centre, Macau Gaming Industry Labourers
Association, Macau Responsible Gaming Association and Macau
Federation of Trade Unions.
-
Through
holding the Universities Promotion Day,
the Institute for the Study
of Commercial Gaming set up game booths to promote
responsible gambling in four tertiary education
institutions, including the University of Macau, Macau
Polytechnic Institute, Institute for Tourism Studies and
Macau University of Science and Technology.
Snapshots of the Responsible Gambling Promotional Activities
2013
Responsible Gambling Kiosk
“Responsible
Gambling Information Pavilion” is part of the responsible
gambling promotion activities, and is the result of
cooperation between Gaming Inspection, and Coordination
Bureau, Social Welfare Bureau and the Institute for the
Study of Commercial Gaming of University of Macao. The
purpose is to provide a more convenient and comprehensive
way for local residents and tourists to access responsible
gambling information, and to deepen the “Responsible
Gambling” knowledge and ways to seek help, so to prevent and
reduce problem gambling cases from happening.
On the 17th
December 2012, “Responsible Gambling Kiosk” first phrase
testing version was setup inside the six Macao casinos,
including Casino Lisboa, Galaxy Macao, Venetian, Wynn, Melco
Crown and MGM. By accessing the silent mode games,
interactive games and prized quiz etc., User can learn the
right gaming information and “Responsible Gambling” related
information. Also, the kiosks are functioned with gambling
addiction assessment, and can be printed out, with contact
information of Macao problem gambling prevention centers.
In addition, “Responsible Gambling Information Kiosk
Ambassador” will promote the kiosk at specific times.
“Responsible Gambling Kiosk” (pilot test) unveil ceremony
“Responsible Gambling Kiosk” First
Phrase Testing Report
Responsible Gambling Information Kiosk Version 2.0
On the basis of Responsible Gaming Information Kiosk Version 1.0,
the organizers of responsible gambling promotional
initiatives launched six Responsible Gaming Information
Kiosks Version 2.0 on 28th July 2014,
currently setting up at
Macau Slot Co. Ltd. – Hung On Customer Service & Cash
Bet Centre,
Macau Jockey Club,
Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome,
Mocha Macau Tower, The Social Welfare Bureau of Macao -
The Resilience Centre and Sheng Kung Hui
Gambling Counseling and Family Wellness Centre
respectively.
Responsible Gambling Information Kiosk Version 2.0 is not only
based on the data of the first-phase pilot test to
improve the content and function of the kiosk, but it
also increases responsible gambling information about
horse racing, greyhound racing and sport lottery.
Moreover, the second-phase kiosks offer
some new functions to increase its practicality such as
self-exclusion applications, problem gambling counseling
service applications and 24-hour help hotlines etc.
Otherwise, the six Responsible Gaming Information Kiosks
Version 1.0 set up previously at six casino properties
have been successfully upgraded to Version 2.0 and
officially reopened for public on 13th
January, 2015.
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Report on Responsible Gambling
Report on Responsible Gambling 2020-2022
Report on Responsible Gambling 2020
Report on Responsible Gambling 2019
Report on Responsible Gambling 2009-2013