The head of Macau’s gambling watchdog says that responsible gambling is a critical component in promoting the lawful, healthy and orderly development of Macau’s gaming industry, stressing that such measures have become both a social priority and a statutory obligation for casino operators.
Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) director Ng Wai Han noted that, as Macau’s economy continues its recovery, the gaming sector is entering a phase characterized by both opportunities and challenges. In this context, responsible gambling is no longer confined to community outreach and public education, but is embedded in the legal responsibilities that gaming concessionaires must fulfill under the Gaming Law.
To ensure effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the legislation, the government requires concessionaires to submit regular reports on their responsible gambling initiatives and conducts on-site inspections at casinos to assess the execution and effectiveness of related measures.
The DICJ head added that authorities maintain strict oversight of the enforcement of casino entry bans, while continuing to strengthen supervision across all aspects of responsible gambling initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure that regulatory requirements are fully implemented and that safeguards remain in place to mitigate gambling-related risks.
As part of ongoing efforts, the government plans to place greater emphasis on enhancing public awareness of responsible gambling. This will involve maintaining close cooperation with stakeholders and expanding publicity through diverse channels to improve public understanding of responsible gambling and raise awareness of gambling disorder prevention.
Ng made the remarks at the “Responsible Gambling Promotion 2025 Closing Ceremony and Certificate Presentation”, held on Wednesday at the MGM Cotai ballroom. The event was jointly organized by the Social Welfare Bureau, the DICJ and the University of Macau’s Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming.
At the ceremony, awards were presented to 15 casinos and other gaming venues recognized by the Responsible Gambling Working Group as “Model Units for Responsible Gambling Implementation”. Certificates were also awarded to 175 individuals who completed the “Macau Professional Certificate in Gambling Counseling”, the “Macau Responsible Gambling Instructor Certificate Course” and related instructor training programs.
