The chief of the Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation Department, Richard Cheang Io Tat, told reporters yesterday that in the first three quarters of this year his department handled 52 gambling disorder cases, compared to 77 cases year-on-year.
Cheang made the remarks during an event by the bureau about the gambling disorder situation in Macau, entitled “Lost Control, Lose Family”, at the Macau Science Centre in Nape.
According to Cheang, the reason for the decrease could be due to the COVID-19 pandemic as fewer non-locals sought help from the bureau. He also noted that out of the 52 cases, 80 percent are local residents, mostly people who have children and are aged between 35 and 49. He also pointed out that 27 percent work in the gambling industry, and most of them are in debt looking for assistance from the bureau in solving their financial situation.
Cheang said that as the bureau has increased publicity to educate the public about gambling disorders and strengthened its links with family support associations, which both make it more likely to detect hidden gambling disorder cases.
IAS Vice President Tang Yuk Wa said in a speech that this year the bureau launched a “responsible gaming standard” that measures and manages the level of engagement that community associations for responsible gaming ought to adhere to. He pointed out that there are currently 12 associations that meet the “responsible gaming standard”, pointing out that next year the standard will be extended to the non-community-service sector.
The Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation Department Chief Richard Cheang Io Tat talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s event about gambling disorders entitled “Lost Control, Lose Family at the Macau Science Centre in Nape. Photo courtesy of TDM
