An intriguing study out of Macau has breathed new optimism into how effective the enforcement of responsible gaming practices is in a maturing gambling market - read more of the news from CasinoCanada below.
The research, titled A Study of Macao People's Participation in Gambling Activities 2022, was formulated from a recent survey by the University of Macau, and it found there was more than a 25% decrease in the number of adult population participating in gambling activities in 2022 (30.1%) when compared to 2019 (40.9%).
The pandemic was likely to have significantly impacted these results, but it still represents a marked fall when compared to pre-COVID levels.
Of the 2,033 survey respondents, just nine displayed symptoms aligning with problem gambling, while Social Welfare Bureau representative Ms Wu I Mui also highlighted how the number of people with gambling-related issues dropped by 40% from 2019 - once more speaking to the quality of the harm prevention measures in place in the region.
The results only reflect shifting local attitudes in Macau, where social gaming remains the most popular form of entertainment (15.6%). Actual casino game participation was only 5.6%, slot machines just 3%, and sports betting came in last at 2.5%. It's unlikely that these figures could be extrapolated to a wider global population.
After decades of relying on the gaming industry for its financial growth, the government of Macau is working hard to diversify its services and economy.
Macau has earned itself the "Las Vegas of the East" moniker, thanks to its extravagant casinos and vibrant nightlife. The former Portuguese colony legalised gambling in the 1850s, and today, it's home to some of the world’s most luxurious casinos, including the Venetian Macau, the second-largest casino on the planet at 546,000 square feet.