Responsible Gambling
Two or more individuals (or parties such as a casino or internet casino) risk something of value on an uncertain outcome (random) in the hope of winning something of greater value (e.g. monetary reward). Due to the uncertainty of its outcome, gambling involves risk.
“Social Gambling” refers to the gambling activities conducted between friends, colleagues, or families. It usually lasts for a limited period of time with predetermined and acceptable losses. The definition implies that entertainment is the major purpose for participation in social gambling.
“Commercial gaming” refers to gaming activity that is offered for profit. Since it is a profit-making activity, gaming operators rely on certainties which ensure they cannot lose in the long run, i.e. the expected return on money for the gambler is negative. Because of this, gaming operators are not gambling with customers as they are not taking risks.
Responsible Gambling occurs in a properly regulated environment where one’s involvement in gambling activities brings no harm to the gamblers, family members, friends, other gamblers, or casino staff; nor would it lead to negative consequences for the local community and residents. In other words, the objective of Responsible Gambling is a practice that confines the gambling-related damage to a socially acceptable level.
To reach this goal, Responsible Gambling requires:
- Government
- Gamblers, family members, and friends
- Gaming operators
- Problem gambling prevention and treatment centres
- Education and other community organisations.
To collectively bear the responsibility in ensuring that the gamblers make informed decisions about their participation in gambling and that their gambling behaviour are responsible to themselves, family members, friends, and the society as a whole.
Understand the risk of gambling:
Be aware of the rules, cost, odds, and potential risks of the games before playing.
The longer you gamble, the more you lose:
According to statistical studies, the more the number of times a gambler bets, the higher the chance one will lose money.
Set a time limit for gambling:
Set a time limit for gambling; do not indulge oneself in gambling.
Set a budget limit for gambling:
Set an affordable budget for gambling and see gambling as an entertaining activity.
Don’t gamble when you are drunk:
Do not participate in gambling when you are drunk.
Don’t borrow to finance gambling:
Do not carry credit cards or ATM cards to casinos, do not borrow money to finance gambling.
Seek help proactively:
When failing to control one’s gambling behaviour, the player should seek help from relevant organisations proactively.
Responsible Gambling Promotion
Responsible Gambling Promotion 2025
