The number of individuals affected by gambling addiction disorders in Macau reached a record high of 208 last year, a significant 23 percent increase from the previous year, according to data published by the city’s Social Welfare Bureau (IAS).
The 208 cases of gambling addiction disorder reported surpassed the previous year’s total and set a new all-time high since records began in 2011.
Despite this rise, the percentage of residents seeking help for gambling issues fell to 58.65 percent of the total cases, along with a decrease in the proportion of croupiers among registered cases, which dropped to 2.2 percent.
Nearly a quarter of the cases cited financial difficulties as a primary reason for gambling, and data from the IAS reveal that 72.12 percent of these individuals continue to struggle with debt.
This figure is up from 169 cases the year before, while the lowest recorded number was in 2020 (77 cases), largely due to the pandemic’s effects on the gambling industry.
The IAS provided these statistics in a report detailing the central registry of individuals affected by gambling addiction. The report states that over the last 14 years, authorities received a total of 1,871 cases, with the majority being male (72.63 percent).
Non-resident cases on the rise
Among the 208 cases recorded in 2024, 58.65 percent were Macau residents, reflecting a notable decline of 10.58 percentage points from the previous year. This is the lowest percentage of residents ever recorded, with the historical average being 81.93 percent.
The IAS also highlighted that 41.3 percent of the cases involved non-residents: 22.6 percent held travel permits for Hong Kong and Macau from mainland China, 10.1 percent had Chinese passports, and 4.3 percent were non-resident workers.
Residents of Hong Kong constituted 1.9 percent, while foreign passport holders accounted for 1.4 percent, alongside 0.96 percent from “other identities.”
The age group most represented among the cases was those aged 30 to 39, which accounted for 23.56 percent. Additionally, 34 percent of individuals did not have their ages recorded. The youngest person seeking assistance from the IAS was just 16 years old.
The report also noted a decline in the percentage of croupiers and gambling industry workers among the affected individuals. Only 2.2 percent of those struggling with gambling addiction were croupiers, while 4.4 percent worked in the industry, representing decreases of 1.13 and 0.93 percentage point, respectively.
Most individuals were employed, with 15.87 percent identified as students, homemakers, or retirees. Additionally, 7.69 percent were entrepreneurs, and 1.65 percent were public administration employees.
Almost half of those registered with the IAS for gambling addiction play baccarat, while 7 percent bet on football and basketball, and 4 percent use poker machines. About 20 percent reported spending between MOP10,000 and MOP50,000 monthly on gambling, but 47 percent were unsure of their total expenditures.
The report indicated that 23.99 percent of the cases cited “resolving financial difficulties” as their primary reason for gambling, followed by “entertainment” (19.71 percent) and “relaxation” (18.76 percent). Other motivations included “seeking fun” (17.34 percent) and “passing time” (9.5 percent), with 4.99 percent viewing gambling as a “social activity.”
Despite nearly a quarter of the cases attempting to address financial problems through gambling, IAS data suggests this strategy is ineffective.
The agency reports that 72 percent of registered gambling addicts face debt issues, with 19.33 percent owing between MOP100,000 and MOP250,000; 10.67 percent having debts between MOP250,000 and MOP500,000; and 8.67 percent carrying debts of MOP50,000 to MOP100,000.
According to the IAS, assessments reveal that 46.62 percent of cases represent moderate gambling addiction disorders, 34.46 percent are severe, and 12.84 percent are mild.
