Macau’s Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) has warned of a surge in gambling disorder cases during the first six months of the year.
The Macau government has raised concerns, after 108 cases were registered in the central system for gambling-related issues in the first half of the year, compared to 169 cases for the entirety of 2023.
According to official data, among the 108 reported cases, about 1 percent involved individuals working as dealers, while 4.3 percent were employed in gambling-related jobs, such as junket collaborators or waiters in gaming areas.
In the first half of 2024, 24.1 percent of problematic players cited financial problems as their motivation for gambling, 21 percent gambled for entertainment, and 17 percent used casino games to dispel boredom and depression.
Among the various types of gambling, baccarat emerged as the preferred game among those seeking help, with 47 percent of problematic players reporting addiction to this game. This percentage is significantly higher than that for football/basketball betting, which ranked second.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Wu I Mui, head of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment division at the bureau, noted that most individuals seeking help are between the ages of 30 and 39, with 40 percent being tourists.
In response, the bureau plans to intensify the promotion of responsible gambling messages, especially in tourist areas, and collaborate with local merchants to increase awareness of gambling support services.
