Macau’s efforts to promote responsible gambling among mainland Chinese tourists face significant challenges, according to experts at a recent industry event.
Key Takeaways:
- Policy differences between Macau and mainland China hinder responsible gambling initiatives
- Gambling addiction rates among Macau locals have decreased significantly since 2007
- Cross-border collaboration is crucial for addressing gambling harm among mainland visitors
Policy Divide Impedes Responsible Gambling Efforts
At the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia in Macau, academics highlighted the disconnect between Macau’s gambling regulations and the strict prohibitions enforced in mainland China. This disparity creates obstacles in implementing public education and harm reduction programs for mainland Chinese tourists, who remain Macau’s primary gambling demographic.
Professor Davis Fong Ka Chio from the University of Macau revealed that mainland Chinese citizens cannot access his institute’s responsible gambling website. He noted that authorities in China maintain a clear stance against gambling, even when citizens travel abroad. However, no law explicitly prohibits individual mainland residents from gambling in jurisdictions where it is legal, such as Macau.
Fong emphasized that addressing gambling behaviors among mainland tourists would require high-level cooperation and policy alignment between Macau and Beijing. Without this shared understanding, outreach efforts are likely to remain ineffective.
Mainland China’s Gambling Addiction Concerns
Professor Zhonglu Zeng from Macau Polytechnic University echoed these sentiments, drawing attention to the severity of gambling addiction problems in mainland China, particularly in casual settings like mahjong parlors. He called for more comprehensive academic studies on gambling habits in the mainland and criticized the perceived reluctance to discuss the issue openly.
Macau’s Progress in Local Responsible Gambling Initiatives
Despite external challenges, Macau has made notable strides in its own responsible gambling efforts. Since 2009, the University of Macau has collaborated with local regulatory and social welfare organizations to implement various education and prevention programs.
These local initiatives appear to be yielding positive results. Fong reported that gambling addiction rates among Macau residents have dropped significantly, from 6% in 2007 to less than 0.5% in 2022. He attributes this success to Macau’s proactive approach, which focuses on early prevention rather than solely addressing the consequences of problem gambling.
The Need for Cross-Border Collaboration
Experts caution that unless mainland China shifts its perspective and begins to treat gambling addiction as a public health issue rather than a legal or moral concern, attempts to extend Macau’s responsible gambling model to tourists from across the border will remain limited.
As mainland visitors continue to drive the majority of Macau’s gaming revenue, the challenge of addressing gambling harm without cross-border cooperation remains unresolved. This situation underscores the importance of finding common ground between Macau’s gambling industry and mainland China’s regulatory stance to effectively promote responsible gambling practices among all visitors to the region.
