Problem gambling rate declines but next wave of casino resorts increases risk

Davis Fong and Bo Bernhard

Problem gambling has declined for the first time in 2013, according to a survey by the Institute for Studies of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) at the University of Macau. Mr Davis Fong, ISCG’s director, recalled that efforts to promote responsible gaming should still be reinforced, as a next wave of casino resorts is taking shape in the Cotai Strip – which might contribute to an increased risk of problem gambling.
Mr Davis Fong and professor Bo Bernhard, executive director of the University of Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute, joined forces last Friday to lead the Responsible Gaming Team Training 2014, at The Sheldon Advanced Education Center, at the Venetian Macau.
Four studies on problem gambling have been conducted by ISCG over recent years. It was revealed that the prevalence of pathological gamblers dropped significantly in 2013 when compared to 2010. “[The rate] increased from 1.8 percent in 2003 to 2.6 in 2007; then from 2.8 in 2010 it dropped to 0.9 percent in 2013,” he stated.
But as casino resorts expand around the city, how can problem gambling be in decline? Both Davis Fong and Bo Bernhard recalled that there is an important concept to take into consideration: adaptability.
After someone has been exposed to gambling, his or her mindset somehow gets used to such a reality, and the “curiosity” factor tends to soften along the years.
“It might seem surprising because gambling in Macau is growing, but it actually happens in a lot of places. The first time you’re exposed to something, you tend to see an increase in use, but human beings are very adaptable and flexible, so we see problem gambling decline after it saw an increase,” said professor Bo Bernhard.
In addition, Davis Fong recalled that the government has worked with different organizations throughout the years, seeking to promote responsible gaming.
Still, he believes that such an effort to reduce problem gambling issues in Macau’s society needs to be maintained.
“More and more facilities are under construction and will be opening in 2016 and 2017. This will increase the risk of problem gambling again,” he reiterated.
Training sessions such as the one promoted at the Venetian Macau are seen as a good tool but he also pointed out that there is a need to conduct “refreshed training,” so that the employees stay “away from problem gambling.”
Furthermore, the scholar suggested operators to place advertisements with information on problem gaming and responsible gaming in the back of house area.
Although Las Vegas and Macau are seen as sister cities, with both acknowledged as gambling hubs, realities and cultural differences need to be taken into account when trying to help problem gamblers.
Davis Fong said that when dealing with problem gambling in Macau, one needs to remember that, culturally, this is a sensitive issue.
He describes the attitude of problem gamblers in Macau as more passive. “In Vegas if I have a gambling problem it is quite common to seek help proactively. Here in Macau however, if I have that problem I will probably hide it. And even though I need help, I don’t want to show it in a public way,” he stressed.
During the training session last Friday, he advised responsible gaming ambassadors to use an indirect approach when trying to help problem gamblers: “You have a gambling problem, I’ll help you. This doesn’t work.” Instead, he suggested for them to start a dialogue out of the public eye, or outside the work environment.
The community setting is different, too. Davis Fong said that while in Vegas they tend to focus on the gambler when promoting responsible gaming, Macau tends to develop its own model where it includes the whole community.
“This is a Chinese community setting, so we put a lot of effort into promoting shared responsibility amongst stakeholders, not just the government, but also the gambler, operators, NGOs and schools,” he stated.
Macau and Vegas also differ when it comes to the gambling product. In Macau it is all about casino tables whereas Vegas doesn’t deny its “crush” on slot machines.
“In Vegas problem gambling attracts more retired people and women. In Macau however, the table is more related to male behavior and, so far, 60 percent of problem gamblers here are male,” he revealed.
Ten years ago, Las Vegas Sands designed a scientific-based problem gambling program that would later be known as the Responsible Gambling Ambassadors Program.
Professor Bo Bernhard believes that the program needs to always rely on local scholars and experts to reach its goals. “We do this in Las Vegas, Macau and Singapore. In each place, we work with local experts to make sure it’s a little bit different and is responsive to the local communities’ needs,” he said.
Apart from cultural differences, the scholar recalled how Vegas and Macau “live in the shadows of large casino industries,” thus having problem gaming issues in common. To share the best practices and engage in frequent exchange of information might help both cities assist problem gamblers.
Part of the training addresses best practices. Professor Bo Bernhard recognizes it’s not an easy task helping others to solve problem gambling. “What we try to highlight are skills to interact with people, help comfort them and build a bridge between them and problem gambling resources available in Macau,” he explained.
Physiological treatment isn’t the only way, he assured, as there are also financial, legal and family assistance programs.
For the second consecutive year, Sands China has organized the Responsible Gaming Team Training Program, aimed at enhancing frontline gaming staff’s knowledge of problem gambling as well as raising awareness of the importance of responsible gaming.

an app to promote responsible gaming

An app to promote responsible gambling guidelines will be launched in October, revealed Professor Davis Fong, director of the Institute for Studies of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) at the University of Macau. Coordinated by the Social Welfare Bureau, the ISCG and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the app is being developed to make information on responsible gaming more accessible to citizens.