Report of study of Hong Kong people's participation in gambling activities released
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A report on a study commissioned by the Ping Wo Fund and conducted by the University of Hong Kong on Hong Kong people's participation in gambling activities (the Study) was released today (December 30). Findings of the Study show that the participation rate of gambling activities and the prevalence of gambling disorder among Hong Kong people are on the decline.
According to data and information collected in 2021, the rate of Hong Kong people's participation in gambling activities (i.e. people who have participated in gambling activities in the past year) was 39.5 per cent, which was lower than 61.5 per cent in 2016 and had significantly decreased from 80.4 per cent in 2005 (i.e. the year in which the first study was conducted since the establishment of the Ping Wo Fund). The participation rate of secondary school students also fell from 21.8 per cent in 2016 to 15.9 per cent in 2021, representing a substantial decrease from 32.3 per cent in 2005. According to the Study, at least some of this decrease is due to COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence may increase when the epidemic situation becomes more stable.
The rate of potential gambling disorder among Hong Kong people also dropped from 1.4 per cent in 2016 to 0.45 per cent in 2021. The prevalence rate of secondary school students was 0.4 per cent, and as a reference the rate of potential problems or pathological gambling among secondary school students in 2016 was 0.7 per cent.
The most popular gambling activities among respondents were the Mark Six Lottery and social gambling (such as mahjong and poker), while secondary school students mainly participated in social gambling.
On horse race betting, 11.3 per cent of telephone survey respondents among the general public indicated that they had participated in horse race betting in the past year. The participation rate was slightly lower than that of 12.5 per cent in 2016. The participation rate of secondary school students in horse race betting was similar to that in 2016, both at 0.7 per cent.
As for football betting, 6.3 per cent of telephone survey respondents among the general public indicated that they had participated in football betting in the past year. The participation rate was slightly lower than the 2016 figure by 0.3 percentage points. The participation rate of secondary school students in football betting continued to decline from 1.2 per cent in 2016 to 0.6 per cent in 2021.
Regarding online gambling, the participation rate of telephone survey respondents among the general public and secondary school students in the past year were both at 0.3 per cent. While the participation in online gambling by the general public was not studied in the 2016 study, the participation rate of secondary school students in 2021 was lower than the rate of 1.0 per cent in 2016.
To understand better gamblers' perceptions of gambling, their motivation for participating in gambling activities and the possible causes of gambling disorder, and more, individual interviews with problem gamblers and their family members, and focus group interviews with gamblers, youths (including at-risk (gambling) youths) and the general public were also conducted in the Study.
The spokesman of the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee said, "The Committee is pleased to see that the prevalence rates of gambling and possible gambling disorder among Hong Kong people have decreased continuously. Nevertheless, we cannot let our guard down as we notice that that at least some of this decrease may be due to the social distancing measures implemented during the epidemic and the prevalence may increase when the epidemic situation becomes more stable."
He said, "The Committee has all along closely observed the prevalence of gambling activities among Hong Kong people, and has accordingly developed appropriate public education and publicity programmes, so as to prevent people from becoming addicted to gambling and to alleviate the negative impact arising from gambling addiction. In order to prevent an increase in the participation in gambling activities by Hong Kong people in the post-COVID-19 period, the Ping Wo Fund will enhance public education and publicity efforts in the coming year to publicise the harm of addiction to gambling and promote the important message of 'healthy living, no gambling' to the general public."
The Study suggested various recommended measures covering four aspects, namely public education, counselling centres, licensed betting operator and other government regulation and enforcement.
The spokesman added, "The results of the Study provide the Government with the latest information on the prevalence of gambling activities among Hong Kong people, which is of high value for reference. The Study report will be distributed to the Betting and Lotteries Commission, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, counselling and treatment centres, and relevant community bodies for their reference. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Committee will formulate the future work plan by making reference to the recommendations of the Study. We will also request the Hong Kong Jockey Club to follow up on the results and recommendations of the Study as appropriate."
The Study report is now available on the website of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau: www.hyab.gov.hk/en/publications_and_press_releases/reports.htm.
The Study was conducted by the Social Sciences Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong as commissioned by the Ping Wo Fund in 2021. The gambling activities covered by the Study include horse race betting, football betting, the Mark Six Lottery, social gambling (such as mahjong and poker) and online gambling. The Study was conducted through a telephone survey, a self-administered questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, individual interviews, and more. The telephone survey had the participation of people aged 15 or above who were selected by random sampling. For the self-administered questionnaire surveys, valid responses were received from Form 1 to Form 5 secondary school students.
The Government established the Fund in 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.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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