The number of people registered with gambling disorders in the Macau SAR has remained stable in 2021, however, self-exclusion requests for gaming areas jump by more than half.
In total, 78 people were registered in the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Central Registry System of Individuals with Gambling Disorder, just one more than in 2020.
Macau authorities initiated the Central Registry System of Individuals with Gambling Disorders scheme in order to amass statistical data so as to better understand the actions and habits of those seeking help for suspected gambling addiction.
The investigation furthermore specified that the majority of those 78 who had sought help in Macau for an addiction to gambling in 2021 had been in their 30s with more than 65 per cent of these being employed, and 75 per cent being men.
The number of people registered in the system has been on the decline since a record high of 157 in 2017.
Meanwhile, the number of people who requested self-exclusion from gaming areas to the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau (DICJ) reported a considerable 62 per cent year-on-year jump in 2021, with some 459 requests.
Upon the application of an individual to exclude himself/herself from casinos, or upon the confirmation of an exclusion request made by his/her spouse, ascendant, descendant, or a family member related to him/her within the second degree of kinship by blood, the Director of DICJ may prohibit the person from entering all or some of the casinos for a maximum period of two years.
Aside from self-exclusion requests, some 85 requests by third parties were also reported last year, almost a 200 per cent year-on-year rise.
