Challenges emerge in promoting Gambling Awareness within Macau due to restrictive China policies
Tackling responsible gambling among mainland Chinese vacationers in Macau presents a rocky road, as experts contend at recent industry events.
Here's the Scoop:
- Policymaking disconnects between Macau and mainland China hinder responsible gambling initiatives
- Gambling dependency rates among Macau locals have seen a dramatic decrease since 2007
- Collaborative efforts across borders are crucial for addressing gambling risks among mainland tourists
Disjoint Policies Hinder Responsible Gambling Push
At the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia in Macau, scholars uncovered the chasm between Macau's gambling rules and the stringent regulations upheld in mainland China. This dichotomy creates obstacles in distributing public education and harm reduction programs for mainland Chinese tourists, who comprise Macau's main casino clientele.
Professor Davis Fong Ka Chio from the University of Macau revealed that mainland Chinese citizens cannot access his institute's responsible gambling site. He pointed out that China's authorities remain adamant against gambling, even when citizens travel abroad. Although no law explicitly forbids individual mainland residents from gambling in legal jurisdictions such as Macau, the lack of cross-border policy alignment makes it difficult for outreach efforts to succeed.
Fong underscored the need for high-level cooperation and policy alignment between Macau and Beijing for tackling gambling behaviors among mainland tourists. Without this shared understanding, efforts are likely ineffective.
Mainland China's Gambling Addiction Conundrum
Professor Zhonglu Zeng from Macau Polytechnic University echoed Fong's words, expressing concern over the severity of gambling addiction issues in mainland China, particularly in casual settings like mahjong parlors. He called for more scholarly engagement on gambling habits in the mainland and criticized the resistance to actively discussing the issue.
Macau's Advancements in Local Responsible Gambling Efforts
Despite obstacles, Macau has made commendable progress in its own responsible gambling initiatives. Since 2009, the University of Macau collaborates with local regulatory and social welfare entities to deploy varied education and prevention programs.
Local initiatives appear to bear fruit. Fong reported that gambling addiction rates among Macau residents have plummeted significantly, from 6% in 2007 to under 0.5% in 2022. He credits this success to Macau's proactive approach, focusing on prevention rather than solely treating the aftermath of gambling addictions.
The Need for Cross-Border Partnership
Experts stress that, unless mainland China adjusts its stance on gambling addiction and starts regarding it as a public health issue rather than a legal or moral quandary, extending Macau's responsible gambling model to tourists from across the border will meet limitations.
With mainland visitors continuing to fuel the majority of Macau's gaming revenue, the challenge of addressing gambling harm without cross-border collaboration remains unresolved. This problem highlights the importance of bridging the gap between Macau's gambling industry and mainland China's regulatory standpoint to effectively propagate responsible gambling attitudes among all visitors to the region.
By implementing strategies such as joint policy agreements, education and awareness campaigns, research and data sharing, regulatory flexibility, and cultural sensitivity, Macau and mainland China can collaborate to tackle gambling harm among mainland visitors effectively, despite the policy differences between the two jurisdictions.
- Theongoing disconnect between Macau and mainland China's gambling policies impedes the dissemination of responsible gambling education and harm reduction programs for mainland Chinese tourists, as observed at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia in Macau.
- Professor Zhonglu Zeng from Macau Polytechnic University emphasized the need for further research and open discussion about gambling habits in mainland China, particularly in casual settings like mahjong parlors, to better understand the severity of gambling addiction issues there.
- Collaborative initiatives between Macau and mainland China, such as joint policy agreements, education and awareness campaigns, data sharing, and cultural sensitivity trainings, are essential for effectively addressing gambling risks among mainland tourists and extending Macau's responsible gambling model to a broader audience.
