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One in two HK people gamble Hongkongers make up 40 per cent of gamblers in Macau

The Young Reporter (2011, March), 43(05), pp. 5.
Author: Veronika Tomanová. Editor: Minerva Cheng.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0007640

BY VERONIKA TOMANOV

Almost every second Hong Kong citizen engages in gambling, according to a local gambling counselling organisation.

Betting on horse races and soccer matches, visiting casinos and buying lotteries are all favourite pursuits of Hong Kong people.

“Gambling is a serious problem in the city. About 40 to 50 per cent of Hong Kong people participate in gambling,” said Mr Wu Ping-chuen, managing director of Hong Kong Gamblers Recovery Centre.

According to him, 200, 000 people, almost three per cent of the local population, are seriously addictive. “Gambling is like drug,” he said.

Young people are also fond of gambling. He said some youngsters have wrong judgements on their ability to resist addiction. And it is easy for them to cross the border to gamble in Macau.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club organises betting on horse racing and football matches, as well as Mark Six Lottery. The Club, which has been granted monopoly on racing and betting, is also the largest private charity donor.

“First of all, it is because of excitement, you always hope that you win,” said Ms Cherry Cecilia Chan, a 23-yearold who buys Mark Six once every two months and visits casinos annually.

“Secondly, it is about hope. There is no problem if you lose, because you know the money goes to charity.”

Some of the casinos (in Macau) are not so strict about the age, so sometimes I went to gamble with my mum when I was not 18 yet,” Ms Chan added.

Minors under 18 are not allowed in gaming areas, but the restriction is not always upheld.

In 2007, a 16-year-old girl from Hong Kong won a $740, 000 slot machine jackpot at Sands Macau casino. The casino refused to pay when they discovered the girl was underage. But the prize was handed over to the girl’s mother at last.

“In Las Vegas, you have to be 21 to gamble. But in Macau, 18 is enough and when I was there they did not even check how old I was when I was buying chips,” said Mr Nicholas Corbin, a 21-year-old student who visited Macau.

Although gaming is prohibited in Hong Kong and the mainland, people can still gamble in the nearby casinos of Macau, where gambling is one of the city’s main industries.

“There is a big boom of casinos. There used to be only a few casinos in Macau, but there are up to 33 now and the number is increasing,” said Mr Wu from the Hong Kong Gamblers Recovery Centre.

After the liberalisation of the gaming market in 2002, six gaming companies have obtained franchises to operate gambling outlets in Macau.

“Gamblers coming to Macau are from everywhere, but approximately 40 per cent come from Hong Kong, which is a big number,” Mr Wu added.

Stanley, who lives in Hong Kong, goes to Macau from time to time.

“I was visiting Macao to gamble, but now it is also about entertainment. Casinos are more spectacular,” he said.

As the world’s largest casino, the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel casino is decorated in a golden theme and has approximately 3, 000 slots and 750 table games of all sorts, including baccarat, blackjack and roulette.

While more tourists are flocking to Macau to buy a chance, some Macau citizens welcome their visitors for more job opportunities and a better economy.

“For citizens of Macau, casinos are generally good, because we don’t have to pay so much tax,” said Macau resident Mr Pathai Tong.

EDITED BY MINERVA CHENG

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