Sands China launches Responsible Gaming Academy to strengthen industry awareness

Sands China Limited (SCL) inaugurated its Sands Responsible Gaming Academy yesterday, aiming to raise awareness of responsible gambling practices and promote self-discipline among employees.

Speaking at the event, Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of SCL, stressed the company’s commitment to responsible gaming, citing programs dating back to 2004, and emphasized the importance of protecting families and livelihoods while maintaining a sustainable gaming environment.

“Everyone has heard the saying, ‘a little gambling for amusement’… we truly don’t want anyone to get too involved… Ultimately, we hope to preserve everyone’s families and ensure their livelihoods are secure,” he said.

Wong noted, “As early as 2004, we launched our first self-exclusion program. Why self-exclusion? It is genuinely hoped that friends can exercise self-control.”

With the launch of the Sands Responsible Gaming Academy, Wong said they have reached a new level of greater responsibility to promote knowledge in responsible gaming.

He stressed discipline in responsible gaming: “It’s not just about knowledge, you must be self-disciplined. Why do we come to work on time? That’s self-discipline. Actually, you could skip work or be lazy, right? But no one forces us; everyone with a sense of responsibility does this. Responsible gaming follows the same principle.”

During the event, SCL also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on responsible gaming in collaboration with the University of Macau (UM).

Speaking to the press, Professor Jun Yu, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration of UM, noted, “Responsible gaming is not only a corporate social responsibility but also a cornerstone for the sustainable development of the industry.”

He continued, “The establishment of the Sands Responsible Gaming Academy and the signing of this MOU will help both sides deepen industry-academia collaboration.”

The event also included a certificate presentation to graduates of the RG360 Macau Responsible Gaming Specialist Ambassador Course, jointly developed by SCL and the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of UM.

The course covers three areas: identifying responsible gaming scenarios and applying intervention methods; strengthening cross-cultural communication skills to support guests from diverse backgrounds; and enhancing case-handling and communication abilities through scenario-based exercises.

It was revealed in a video played during the event that currently, nearly 1,000 team members from over 25 departments have participated in the ambassador training program. Since 2021, the Academy has provided over 70,000 hours of training.

Team members interested in taking the course must first complete Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassador basic and advanced training modules to obtain certificates issued by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

The MOU marks the industry-academia collaboration between Sands China and UM, allowing for research exchange and localized implementation.

The academy is one of eight sub-academies of the Sands China Academy that aims to help Macau build a responsible gaming environment.

The ceremony concluded with a certificate presentation for Sands China team members who successfully completed the course. Ricaela Diputado