Due to the opening of gaming rights in 2002, Macao society started to aware of the related gambling problems arising from the development of gaming industry and the influence towards family and society. In view of this situation, The Resilience Centre – a specific unit responded for problem gambling prevention and treatment, was established in 2005 by Social Welfare Bureau of Macao S.A.R. Government. The centre also aims to offer resources for various non-governmental organizations, provides related services for people and their families who are affected by gambling addiction problems.
Objectives:
Aims to provide counseling services to people affected by gambling addiction problems and to their families and, through community prevention activities, reduce the possible harm caused to these individuals.
Targets:
To strength the cooperation within non-government organizations and enhance the participations from all stakeholders in the society, together promote problem gambling prevention and responsible gambling through social policies and various measures.
Contents and Area:
1) Face-to-face counseling – Assessing the level of harm caused by gambling addiction in order to enable affected individuals to change their behavior, control their emotions, improve relationships with their families and rebuild a healthy lifestyle, as well as to prevent gambling relapse.'
2) Telephone counseling – The Problem Gambling Counselling Hotline 28323998 provides counseling services to the citizens.
3) Community Awareness Activities – Raising awareness of the problems caused by gambling addiction and how to get help, using different types of media, namely mobile applications, websites, online platforms and TV adverts, among others.
4) Lectures and activities at Community Level – Conducting educational talks and activities on personal financial management and the prevention of gambling addiction.
5) Special Project – Subsidizing private welfare institutions to develop problem gambling prevention plans designed for different groups, as those previously developed, namely “Smart Financial Promotion Plan”, “Smart Teenager Project” and “Rainbow Life Program for Employees of Gaming Industry”.
6) Responsible Gambling Awareness – Conducting activities for public awareness surrounding responsible gambling, in collaboration with other stakeholders; to develop “Responsible Gambling Information Kiosks” to be placed in the casinos and in the counseling centers, in order to provide information on responsible gambling, the risks of gaming, problem evaluation, the self-exclusion request and how to get help, among others.
7) Professional Training – Since 2014, and in collaboration with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the University of Macau and the Macao Polytechnic University, the “Professional Certificate in Gambling Counselling” has been carried out for social workers and counselors; as well as “Certificate in Macau Responsible Gambling Advisor” and“Certificate Program for Macau Responsible Gambling Trainer” for management in gaming industry