Responsible Gambling Awareness Survey

Transcription

1 Responsible Gambling Awareness Survey Execuitive Summary The Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, University of Macau

2 Responsible Gambling Awareness Survey In order to evaluate the effectiveness of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, and to provide baseline data for evaluating similar activities in the future so as to allow responsible gambling to be promoted on the basis of sound empirical evidence, the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of the University of Macau carried out a total of three surveys. These surveys were administered in 2 phases. The first phase was carried out in September 2009, i.e. a month before the kick-off of the event and the target respondents of this phase included both local residents and tourists. Then after the completion of the event in December 2009, the same survey was administered to the local residents at the end of January Since it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of the event on tourists as they normally do not stay long in Macao, and it is very likely that the same group of tourists interviewed in the first phase did not stay in Macao at the time of the second administration, tourists were not included in the second phase survey.

3 (A) Sample characteristics In the two local residents studies, computer-assisted random digit dialing method was used to conduct telephone interviews. A total of 987 and 950 residents aged 18 or above were successfully interviewed in the first and second phase respectively. The samples drawn were found to be highly representative of the adult population of Macao as there were good matches in the distributions of gender and age between the surveys and 2008 data provided by Statistics and Census Service of Macao. Moreover, differences in sample characteristics like gender, age, marital status, education, and monthly personal income between the two local samples were not statistically significant. In both local samples, females made up about 55% of the samples. About 25% of the samples aged between 18 and 24; 23% aged between 45 and 54; 21% between 35 and 44; 18% between 25 and 34; 10% between 55 and 64; 3% aged 65 or above. The majority of the samples (about 85%) had completed high school education and more than half of the respondents (around 62%) were married. As for the tourists, street-intercept interviews were used to collect data and a total of 1,059 tourists aged 18 or above were successfully interviewed. Compared with the September 2009 data provided by Statistics and Census Service of Macao, Mainland tourists were over-represented in this sample. In order to avoid serious problem of sample bias, weighting was used to correct disproportional sample sizes. In the final weighted sample, respondents from Mainland China accounted for more than 50%; Hong Kong for 30%; Taiwan, China for about 5%; and the rest for more than 10% of the sample. In the weighted sample, 52% of the respondents were

4 females. 40% of the respondents aged between 25 and 34 while each of the other age groups namely 18-24; 25-44; 45 or above, accounted for about 20% of the sample. Almost all respondents (97%) had attained high school education. As for the marital status, about half of the respondents (52%) were married. (B) Findings (1) Knowledge on casino gambling Correct cognition of the nature of gambling is important to the prevention of problem gambling. As Games of Fortune or casino gambling accounts for 99% of the gross gaming revenue in Macao, the three surveys were limited to the understanding of respondents knowledge on the nature of casino gambling. Research results indicated that before the event, the local respondents already had some basic knowledge on the notion of chance and house advantages of casino gambling. However, there were still rooms for them to improve their cognition on these areas. After the event, research results of the follow-up study showed that local respondents knowledge on casino gambling was not significantly improved. As for the tourists, research results revealed that on every aspect of casino gambling studied, tourists level of understanding was significantly lower than that of the local respondents. (2) Knowledge on problem gambling Compared with casino gambling, the local respondents level of understanding of problem gambling was even lower. Not only that, they even held erroneous

5 perception of problem gambling. However it seems that Responsible Gambling Awareness Week did not succeed in improving their understanding of problem gambling as research results showed that there was no significant difference in the knowledge on problem gambling between the two local surveys. As for the tourists, their level of understanding of problem gambling was similar to that of the local respondents. In addition, they also held erroneous perception of problem gambling. (3) Awareness on responsible gambling Before the launch of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, there were only 16.7% of the local respondents who had ever heard of responsible gambling. But after the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, the percentage of the local respondents who claimed to have heard of responsible gambling increased to 23.7% and the increase was significant. In spite of this, before the event, there were more than 30% of those who claimed to have heard of the term responsible gambling said they did not understand it at all. Then, after the event, this group of respondents increased to more than 35%. Results indicated that although the event did achieve its goal in increasing the awareness on the term responsible gambling among the local residents, it did not achieve its goal in increasing their level of understanding of responsible gambling. No matter whether it is before or after the event, it was generally agreed among those who were aware of responsible gambling that gamblers, rather than casinos or

6 governments, should bear the responsibility to prevent problem gambling. As for the responsibility between governments and casinos, more of them agreed that governments should bear gambling responsibility. Finally, they generally agreed that stakeholders which included gamblers, casinos, governments, and the local communities should work together to prevent problem gambling. Regarding the gambling behaviors of a responsible gambler, among those who were aware of responsible gambling, they generally agreed that gamblers should gamble within their financial limits. Besides this, other gambling behaviors that were regarded as responsible included gamble for fun or leisure, and gamble within pre-determined period of time. These same views held true before and after the event and the results indicated that Responsible Gambling Awareness Week did not pose any significant impact on educating Macao residents on responsible gambling behaviors. As for the tourists, their level of awareness on responsible gambling was lower than that of the local respondents. In the tourist sample, only 5.2% of the respondents had ever heard of the term responsible gambling. Among them, one-fourth had difficulty in explaining their views on this term. As for those who had expressed their views, their points on responsible gambling were not significantly different from those of the local respondents. (4) Awareness on Macao problem gambling treatment centers Responsible Gambling Awareness Week promoted not only the nature of casino gambling, the concept of problem gambling and responsible gambling, it was also the objective of the event to increase the awareness of the public on Macao s

7 problem gambling treatment centers so that those in need of help can approach these centers and seek help on time. Before the event, 71.3% of the local respondents were aware of one or more problem gambling treatment centers. After the event, this group of respondents increased to 74.2%. Besides, being in the position of a problem gambler, the local respondents generally could not tell whether they would look for help from these centers. But they generally tended to look for help from these centers if they were relatives of a problem gambler. Finally, no matter whether they were a problem gambler or the relative of a problem gambler, Responsible Gambling Awareness Week was not successful in increasing in a significant manner their intention to seek help from these centers. Tourists awareness on Macao problem gambling treatment centers was much lower than that of the Macao residents. Among them, only 14.6% were aware of one or more problem gambling treatment centers in Macao. (5) Awareness on casinos responsible gambling measures For the purpose of conducting a preliminary evaluation of Macao casinos current responsible gambling measures, and for the purpose of providing references for their future measures, the surveys attempted to investigate whether respondents were aware of any of the responsible gambling measures taken by casino operators in Macao. Research results showed that before the event, the local respondents were aware of an average of 1.7 measures. However, the event was not successful at increasing their awareness on more of these measures. Among all the measures taken by casino operators in Macao, the one that drew the most of their attention was Prohibition of those under 18 from entering into casinos which was also believed to be the most effective in reducing the potential harms of gambling. But

8 one point to note on this measure is that respondents confidence on the effectiveness of it was not increased after the event. As for the effectiveness of the other measures, respondents were not able to provide any comments at both the pre and post event surveys. When it comes to the tourists, their level of awareness was similar to that of the local respondents. On average, tourists were aware of 1.5 measures. In addition, the measure that attracted the most of their attention, as well as their perception of these measures were similar to those of the local respondents. (6) Casino employees awareness on responsible gambling Since casino operators provide responsible gambling training to their employees, and they also supported Responsible Gambling Awareness Week by allowing event helpers to enter their properties to distribute Responsible Gambling Awareness Week booklets to their staff, it was expected that casino employees had a higher level of awareness on responsible gambling than ordinary Macao citizens. Pre event survey results revealed that casino employees did have a significantly higher level of awareness on the term responsible gambling than non casino employees. However, their understanding on casino gambling, problem gambling as well as responsible gambling was not significantly different from that of non casino employees. As for the responsible gambling measures taken by casinos, casino employees were able to identify more of these measures than non casino employees. Despite this, their confidence on the effectiveness of these measures was not significantly higher than that of non casino employees. Finally, their awareness on the number of problem gambling treatment centers was not significantly different from that of non casino employees. As a problem gambler, both casino employees and non casino employees

9 were not able to determine whether they would seek help from these centers. However, if they were the relatives of a problem gambler, both casino employees and non casino employees became more willing to seek help from these centers with non casino employees significantly more eager to seek help from these centers than casino employees. Post event survey results showed that Responsible Gambling Awareness Week did not succeed in increasing the awareness of casino employees on responsible gambling. Except at increasing the level of awareness of the term itself and the responsible gambling measures of casinos, the event did not increase their understanding on casino gambling, problem gambling and problem gambling treatment centers. Moreover, the event did not increase their confidence on the effectiveness of different casino responsible gambling measures and problem gambling treatment centers. (7) Gamblers awareness on responsible gambling Since casino gamblers participate in casino gambling, their understanding of responsible gambling is of paramount importance to the prevention of problem gambling. Research results revealed that before the event, the local gamblers and non local gamblers were not significantly different in terms of their knowledge on problem gambling and responsible gambling and the major differences between these two groups were their awareness on the term responsible gambling and their knowledge on casino gambling. That is, there were significantly more local gamblers than non gamblers aware of the term responsible gambling. Also local gamblers had significantly poorer understanding of casino gambling than non gamblers.

10 After the event, there were more local gamblers who expressed that they were aware of the term responsible gambling. But other than that, their understanding of responsible gambling was not significantly increased. Similar to the local gamblers, the understanding of casino gambling of foreign gamblers was significantly poorer than that of their non gambling counterparts. However, when it comes to the knowledge of problem gambling, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Overall speaking, there was no significant difference in the perception of responsible gambling between the two groups. But when compared with non gamblers, foreign gamblers were less likely to agree on the responsibilities of casinos and governments on problem gambling prevention. Foreign gamblers had more knowledge on casinos responsible gambling measures than non gamblers. However, both groups were not significantly different in their knowledge on Macao s problem gambling treatment centers. Also both groups were not significantly different in their views towards the effectiveness of the measures and their drives to seek help from these centers. (C) Conclusion In conclusion, although Responsible Gambling Awareness Week managed to significantly increase the awareness of the term responsible gambling among Macao residents, the understanding of the term was superficial However, one should bear in mind that Responsible Gambling Awareness Week was first organized last year, and it is really difficult to educate the public with one and only one activity. In addition, tourists are the major customers of the Macao gaming industry while

11 gamblers are the major participants of casino games. However, research results revealed that both groups had poorer understanding of casino gambling. Correct cognition of casino gambling is an important way to reduce the potential harms of gambling. On the basis of the above, it is suggested that the promotion of responsible gambling should be carried out year after year and in different varieties of ways.

12 Conclusion and Remarks The "Responsible Gambling Awareness Week" series of activities was the first of its kind in Macau. Its major objective was to promote the notion of "Responsible Gambling" to the general population. In view of the activities and feedbacks, ISCG believes that the entire event has achieved the desired effects and has lived up to the original expectation. Specifically: (1) The opening ceremony of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week was not simply a ceremony in itself. It had provided a platform for streamlining efforts from various parties including the concerned government departments, the general public, casino operators, problem gambling prevention and treatment centers, the University of Macau, and other educational and societal communities. Together, these parties demonstrated to the local community the importance and imminent need of disseminating the Responsible Gambling idea in a systematic way. (2) The exhibition displayed in major recreational areas across Macau had provided important RG information to the general public. When these display boards were shown at major casino operators and tertiary education institutions, they had also deepened the knowledge of the casino employees and college students on the importance of Responsible Gambling". In addition, the distribution of brochures had also opened a more systematic avenue to introduce the "Responsible Gambling" concept and to report on Macau s real situation in promoting "Responsible Gambling". As this was the first brochure on the concerned subject, teachers from some tertiary education institutions had actively requested copies to serve as an

13 important supplement to their course materials. Furthermore, the Super Prize Lucky Draw had also successfully attracted wide attention. More than a thousand residents participated in returning the Q&A entry forms/leaflets. This reflected that the entire RG event had succeeded in augmenting public awareness on the concept of Responsible Gambling to a certain extent. (3) Jointly organized by the University of Macau and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the RG Symposium was the first of its kind in Macau. More than 20 experts and scholars were invited from different parts of the world, including from Canada, the UK, Beijing, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, as guest speakers. About 130 participants enrolled in the symposium. The symposium served as a platform for the participants to develop indepth discussions on the issues of customers, business and policy. It also provided an important reference for the Macau SAR Government in the domain of "Responsible Gambling" policy-making. (4) The total number of participants in different RG seminars/workshops was about 300. They came from different sectors, including from the casino operators, secondary and tertiary education institutions, government departments and other civil organizations. The workshops and seminars had aroused great interest of various stakeholders. Many participants commented that the workshops/seminars had introduced new ideas and paradigms for their understanding of the Responsible Gambling concept, and enhanced their overall knowledge of the gaming industry in Macau. Some secondary school teachers even suggested that ISCG should organize more workshops/seminars of similar nature in the future. (5) In order to spread the idea of Responsible Gambling, newspaper articles

14 on RG were published in the Macao Daily News. About the same time, Dr. Fong Ka Chio, Director of ISCG also participated in a Chick-Chat TV Show of TDM to introduce the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week event. Through these efforts, the message of Responsible Gambling was brought to a higher level of public recognition. (6) The findings of the RG survey suggested that the public awareness level on "Responsible Gambling" was increased from 16.7% (pre-event) to 23.7% (post-event). The increase was significant in a statistical sense. However, the survey also found that Macau residents understanding of casino gambling, problem gambling, problem gambling counseling / treatment centers and measures imposed by casino operators in relation to "Responsible Gambling" was not significantly improved from the pre-event time to the post-event time. Similarly, no significant difference was observed with respect to casino employees and gamblers understanding level of the Responsible Gambling concept before and after the event. Visitor awareness of the foregoing issues was even lower. All in all, these results showed that the "Responsible Gambling Awareness Week" series of activities in 2009 had indeed brought positive impact on augmenting the awareness level of the Macau residents on "responsible gambling". However, it is worth mentioning that a once-off event could hardly be able to convey the right message to the general public and the millions of visitors. In light of this, we propose that the promotion of responsible gambling should be carried out on a yearly basis and in different approaches.