Melco hosts responsible gaming forum at City of Dreams

The Responsible Gaming Leadership Forum began with presentations given by Melco’s executives, providing an overview of the company’s Responsible Gaming Steering Committee and the various programs it has launched over the past decade. Mr. Paulo Chan then delivered a speech on the Macau SAR Government’s policies and practices on promoting responsible gaming, followed by presentations from experts in the areas of responsible gaming – Prof. Davis Fong, Director of Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, and Mr. Lawrence Lee, Addiction Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor, Resilience Centre (Gambling Addiction Treatment Service of the Macau Government). Prof. Fong discussed research results related to responsible gaming, and the role of gaming operators in the establishment of a responsible gaming culture. Mr. Lee further elaborated on the clinical psychology of the players, and how early intervention can prevent addiction.

Paulo Chan said at the forum, “Promoting responsible gaming is one of the key areas in the Policy Address of the Macau SAR Government. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau and the relevant government departments maintain close communication with the gaming operators and civic organizations to formulate policies and measures to prevent gaming patrons from becoming problem gamblers, and help problem gamblers to return to their normal social life and work. The Macau SAR Government is glad to see that the gaming Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
operators actively arrange their employees to participate in training regularly, equipped them with the knowledge of responsible gambling so that they can offer immediate assistance for people in need.”

Prof. Davis Fong said, “Establishing a responsible gaming culture requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders – including gaming operators, the SAR Government, nongovernmental organizations, researchers, public health professionals, and the general public. The University of Macau has been working closely with Melco on raising awareness of responsible gaming. The generous support Melco provided the University in the past decade has enabled programs related to the subject, including research development and information sharing. These programs have raised the awareness of responsible gaming and promote its
importance in the society.”

Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco, said, “Responsible gaming is an important priority at Melco. We strive for the healthy development of the industry and the specialization of gaming management. Since its establishment in 2007, our
Responsible Gaming Steering Committee has been working closely with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau to ensure strict compliance and implementation of our responsible gaming strategies. Internally, new employees from both gaming and non-gaming departments are required to take the responsible gaming training as part of their orientation. We also organize responsible gaming activities regularly to reinforce employees’ knowledge, such as forums, trivia, and photography competitions.

“Externally, we partner with the Macau Government, educational institutes and professional counseling services to promote responsible gaming practices among our employees, customers and the general public. We also actively participate in annual events such as the Responsible Gaming Awareness Week, and support DICJ’s Self-Exclusion and Third-party Exclusion Applications measure.”