Sands China held its 11th Responsible Gaming Ambassador Advanced Training Programme on August 24 and 25 at The Londoner Macao integrated resort in Cotai, training 42 team members to better identify and respond to signs of problem gambling, according to a statement by Sands yesterday.
The two-day programme provided frontline team members with professional training on gambling disorders, including scenario-based videos, interactive games, role-playing and assessments, the statement said, noting that participants who completed the programme received certificates from the International Gaming Institute of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Prof. Alan Feldman, chair of the Nevada Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling and director of Strategic Initiatives at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, led the training and discussed the causes of problem gambling, warning signs and communication skills for assisting people experiencing gambling problems, the statement noted
Prof. Davis Fong Ka Chio, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau (UM), also spoke about the latest developments in Macau’s responsible gaming policies and industry trends, the statement noted, underlining that senior counsellors from the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office (SKHWC) introduced consultation strategies and its 24-hour counselling hotline and face-to-face counselling services.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Wong Ying Wai, executive vice chairman of Sands China, said that responsible gaming is crucial to the company’s corporate social responsibility and the sustainable development of Macau’s integrated tourism and leisure industry, the statement said, adding that the company would continue strengthening industry-academia-community collaboration to improve team members’ professional skills.
The integrated resort operator said that all of its more than 28,000 team members are required to complete responsible gaming training upon joining the company, noting that the advanced programme, launched in 2013, has trained more than 1,000 participants and is updated annually to reflect industry developments and responsible gaming initiatives introduced by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).
This undated handout photo provided by Sands China yesterday shows Prof. Alan Feldman, chair of the Nevada Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling, addressing the two-day 11th Responsible Gaming Ambassador Advanced Training Programme on August 24 and 25 at The Londoner Macao integrated resort in Cotai.
