Ping Wo Fund launches anti-gambling publicity campaign
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The Ping Wo Fund and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau have launched the territory-wide anti-gambling publicity campaign Be the Wise Man of the Match!. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of gambling-related problems and promote no-gambling messages during the World Cup 2022 period.
Be the Wise Man of the Match! anti-gambling publicity campaign
The campaign consists of a range of district-level and territory-wide events and publicity activities from mid-November to mid-December, including a "Say no to football gambling" carnival, a Football Fun Day, the Ping Wo Fund Mascot Design Competition, etc to promote no-gambling messages to the community. A Be the Wise Man of the Match! exhibition will be held at different shopping malls during the campaign to convey no-gambling messages. Members of the public can take part in mini-football games and capture fun moments in a photo-taking zone to share the joy of playing football. Sponsored by the Fund and managed by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre, the No-Gambling Publicity Truck will also tour the territory to educate the public on the harm of gambling addiction through a multimedia exhibition and interactive games during the World Cup 2022 period. Participation by members of the public are welcome.
In order to further publicise the harm of addiction to gambling and information about counselling and treatment services for gamblers, the Fund has strengthened its publicity efforts in online media (including social media platforms) and traditional media (including advertising on public transport). In addition, the Fund also arranges to promote anti-gambling messages on TV broadcasts before and after the live broadcast of World Cup matches, and on popular TV and radio programmes so as to raise public awareness on the harm of addiction to gambling and remind people to stay away from gambling while enjoying the football matches.
During World Cup 2022, the four counselling and treatment centres for gamblers financed by the Fund will step up their services, such as extending their service hours to answer the Gambling Counselling Hotline (183 4633) and respond to text messages received online or from instant messaging applications. They will also organise more outreach activities such as street stations, so that those in need can receive timely and appropriate assistance.
The Ping Wo Fund Mascot Design Competition
One of the events of the campaign is the Ping Wo Fund Mascot Design Competition. The Competition aims to encourage members of the public to unleash their creativity by designing a mascot to represent the Fund and introduce the Fund's work relating to the "Healthy Livingļ¼No Gambling" theme to the community continuously, and to enhance people's understanding of the work of the Fund. The Competition opens from today (November 16) for submission of entries. Members of the public are welcome to join the Competition.
The Competition has two categories, namely the Secondary School Students Category (Hong Kong residents aged 12 to 18) and the Adult Category (Hong Kong residents aged 19 or above). Participants can submit their entries via the Fund website (www.donotgamble.org.hk). The deadline for the Competition is December 18. The category winners will have a chance to receive a certificate and gift vouchers worth up to $3,000.
The Government established the Fund in September 2003 to finance public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems related to gambling; provide counselling, treatment and other remedial or support services for gamblers with gambling disorders and those affected by them; and research and study problems and issues related to gambling.
The Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee is a non-statutory body to give advice on the use and application of the Fund.
For details, please visit the Fund website at www.donotgamble.org.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:16
Issued at HKT 15:16
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