The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) of Macau has announced plans to strengthen the promotion of responsible gambling messages, particularly in tourist areas, with cooperation from local merchants to raise awareness of gambling help services.
This is in response to the rise of people seeking help for gambling disorders, as quoted by Macau news media. According to the bureau’s Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment division head, Wu I Mui, the majority of those seeking help are from the age group of 30 to 39, with 40% being tourists.
The bureau would also be working with schools to address said issues by cultivating healthy financial values from an early age through home-school collaboration. Since many families were also found to be lacking in financial education and money management skills, parent groups were also established in junior and primary grades. The bureau will plan to expand the program to include upper primary grades as well.
The bureau’s smart financial management promotion program, implemented in partnership with private organisations and schools, attracted the participation of nearly 49 schools and 50,000 students.
Macau’s gambling and gaming sector had been doing well in its post-Covid-19 recovery, economy-wise. However, there were also issues arising post-recovery, aside from the above-mentioned gambling-related disorders.
Macau lawmakers had raised concerns regarding the health of gaming sector workers, urging both the Macau Government and its gambling sector operators to enforce the protection of the welfare of the sector’s workers.
