The Macau government has underlined that according to the latest available data, local residents’ participation rate in gambling has dropped to the lowest on record.
Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Vice President Hoi Va Pou made the remarks while addressing the “2025 Academic Forum on the Prevention and Treatment of Gambling Disorders” held on Friday, where she said that local residents’ participation rate in gambling decreased from 59.2 percent in 2007 to 30.1 percent in 2022, the lowest percentage on record, while their awareness rate of responsible gambling increased from 16.2 percent in 2009 to 64.9 percent in 2023.
The one-day forum was organised by the bureau in collaboration with the public University of Macau (UM), the public Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), and the Sheng Kung Hui (SKH) Macau Social Services Coordination Office.
Sheng Kung Hui is the official Cantonese name for the Anglican Church.
According to an IAS statement on Friday, the forum, attended by local experts and scholars as well as those from Hong Kong and foreign countries, addressed the latest research achievements in the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders, as well as the latest developments in such services.
In addition to experts and scholars, the forum was also attended by representatives from various social service organisations in Hong Kong and Macau, including those specialising in the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders.
Delivering a speech during the forum’s opening ceremony, which was held on the UM campus, Hoi noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the bureau’s centre for problem gambling counselling services, adding that the local government has, over the years, been paying close attention to the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders as well as the promotion of responsible gambling.
For instance, Hoi said, the amended version of the city’s gaming law formally lists responsible gambling requirements for the city’s gaming operators, while the government has set up various responsible gambling information kiosks in casinos and in various social service organisations in the city, with the most extensive coverage of such facilities among all gaming destinations worldwide.
Hoi also underlined that the government has been providing systematic and professional training for social service workers and casino workers, while having set up a 24/7 counselling hotline for those affected by problem gambling or gambling disorders.
The government has also been providing financial education in different levels for kindergarten and school students, Hoi said.
Hoi underlined that Macau’s achievements in lowering local residents’ participation rate in gambling and in raising their awareness rate of responsible gambling demonstrate that the city’s gaming industry has, thanks to the joint efforts of various segments of civil society, been transitioning to a healthier and more sustainable development.
Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Vice President Hoi Va Pou addresses Friday’s opening ceremony of the “2025 Academic Forum on the Prevention and Treatment of Gambling Disorders” on the University of Macau (UM) campus.– Photo courtesy of TDM
