The number of individuals seeking help for gambling disorders in Macau has seen a notable increase in the first half of 2024, as reported by the city’s Central Registry System for Individuals with Gambling Disorders.
According to the latest data by the Macau Social Welfare Bureau (SWB), from January to June 2024, 108 cases were registered, a rise of 39 cases compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 169 cases by year-end.
This count represents 63 percent of last year’s total and suggests a possible record high if current trends persist, with 2024 possibly marking the highest number of gambling disorder cases in over a decade.
In the past five years, the data indicate a growing issue. In 2020, reported cases were notably lower due to the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by a steady increase.
In 2023, some 169 people sought help for gambling disorders, the highest amount since 2017, with a possibly higher number by the end of 2024 underscoring an escalating public health challenge, or better reporting mechanisms.
Age-wise, those affected predominantly fall within the 30–39 age bracket, but cases span a wide demographic. Employment-wise, 69 percent of affected individuals were employed, while 13 percent were unemployed, and the rest comprised students, homemakers, and retirees.
Some 16.73 million visitors entered Macau during the initial six months of 2024, according to Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) data.
The figure, which is equivalent to roughly 92,000 visitor arrivals per day, represents a year-on-year growth of 43.6 percent and a recovery of around 82.5 percent in comparison to the pre-pandemic figure of 20.28 million in 2019.
Over 43 percent of individuals flagged by the Social Welfare Bureau during the first half of the year were found to suffer from moderate gambling addiction, while approximately 38 percent were categorized with severe addiction. Mild cases accounted for about 15 percent.
The data indicate that 60 percent of affected gamblers registered between January and June were individuals with BIR (Behavioral Impulse Regulation).
Men continue to be disproportionately affected, making up around 88 percent of the cases. Notably, this year saw a shift in demographics; individuals without marital relationships were more impacted, comprising 44 percent of cases, compared to 35 percent for married individuals.
In terms of employment, a significant majority (69 percent) of those affected were employed, followed by students, homemakers, and retirees at 18 percent, and the unemployed at 13 percent.
Interestingly, among the employed gamblers seeking help from the SWB, only 4 percent reported working in the gambling industry, with 1 percent identifying as croupiers.
The data also highlight that 46 percent of those affected had lived in Macau for 20 years or more, and 56 percent stated their family members typically do not gamble.
Age demographics show that 31 percent of users sought counseling via phone, complicating data collection in this area. Among those with known ages, 24 percent were between 30 and 39, 17 percent were aged 18 to 29, and 11 percent were 60 or older.
Financial Pressures Driving Gambling
The report also highlights financial challenges as a significant factor in gambling behavior. In the first half of the year, 24 percent of individuals turned to gambling due to financial difficulties, while 21 percent did so for entertainment, and 17 percent to relieve stress.
Among the 108 individuals identified by the SWB, a staggering 71 percent were found to have debts.
A breakdown of the debt amounts shows that 14 percent owed between MOP100,000 ($12,515) and MOP250,000 ($31,287), while 12 percent had debts over MOP250,000 ($31,287) and under MOP500,000 ($62,575). Additionally, 9 percent reported lower debts ranging from MOP50,000 ($6,257) to MOP100,000 ($12,515).
As for gaming preferences, baccarat remained the most popular choice, with 45 percent of gamblers identifying it as their game of choice. Football and basketball betting accounted for 7 percent, followed by sic bo/cussec at 6 percent and poker/Mocha machines at 5 percent.
