Sands China Responsible Gaming Ambassadors Support Virtual Reality RG Promotion at USJ

RG education activity features 180-degree immersive VR movie experience

(Macao, June 18, 2019) – A group of Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors assisted in a two-day virtual reality film experience in May, at a responsible gaming promotion for students at the University of Saint Joseph.

The event was in support of the Macao government’s efforts to promote responsible gaming in the community, and was organised by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office. It aimed to educate students about Macao’s gaming industry, the importance of responsible gaming, and how to spot signs of gambling addiction and the behaviours of problem gamblers.

“Sands China was very pleased to support this unique event in promotion of the importance of responsible gaming,” said Winnie Wong, chief responsible gaming officer and vice president of special gaming projects. “Our Responsible Gaming Ambassadors have received advanced training in responsible gaming from leaders in this field, and this event presented a great opportunity to take their learning beyond our properties to share their knowledge, skills and experience with the wider community.”

Participants in the May 15 and 22 interactive sessions experienced an immersive 180-degree virtual reality movie on gambling disorders, which was followed by a discussion on the feelings experienced and practical advice related to responsible gaming.

Students from USJ’s Social Work and Psychology degree programmes participated in the activity, expressing their excitement about experiencing a VR film. They said they also enjoyed hearing from and sharing their opinions with Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors at the activity, which was the company’s first responsible gaming promotion to be held at a Macao university.

Sands China Ltd. sponsored Sheng Kung Hui’s Macau Social Services Coordination Office for its VR event series, making it possible for the organisation to involve more instructors and carry out more sessions.

Lee Kwok Hoo, service director of the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office, said: “Sheng Kung Hui has a long history of collaborating with Sands China, and we were pleased with their support of this event series. Their commitment to responsible gaming awareness is impressive, as was the enthusiasm and understanding brought by the Responsible Gaming Ambassadors who participated in this event. We look forward to continued collaboration in the near future.”

Through its Responsible Gaming Ambassador advanced training programme, Sands China is dedicated to educating its team members on how to create a positive environment at all its properties. Launched in 2013, the elite training programme is the first of its kind, and is the only one in Macao done in coordination with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, utilising both international and local knowledge. Sands China has offered the advanced training every year since 2013, supplementing the company-wide responsible gaming training received by each of Sands China’s more than 28,000 team members. The company currently has nearly 530 Responsible Gaming Ambassadors, with their training collectively comprising over 3,200 hours of instruction.

Sands China remains committed to the well-being of its guests and recognises the importance of responsible gaming to the Macao community. Sands China was the first gaming operator in Macao to launch a self-exclusion programme in 2004, and was a pioneer in including responsible gaming training in its company-wide team member orientation programme. Sands China established its comprehensive responsible gaming programme in 2007, with the goals of contributing to the continuous development of the Macao community, bearing corporate responsibility in addressing social issues and developing an environment and a culture of responsible gaming in Macao.

Photo caption: Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors speak with students at the University of Saint Joseph campus May 15 during a responsible gaming activity organised by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office and sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau. The Ambassadors, who have advanced training in responsible gaming, shared their RG knowledge, skills and experience with the students.

Photo caption: University of Saint Joseph students experience a virtual reality film May 15 during an on-campus responsible gaming activity organised by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office and sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau. Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors assisted in the interactive session, which featured an immersive 180-degree virtual reality movie on gambling disorders, which was followed by a discussion on the feelings experienced and practical advice related to responsible gaming.

Photo caption: Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors and students from the University of Saint Joseph participate in an on-campus responsible gaming activity May 15, organised by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office and sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau. The event featured an immersive 180-degree virtual reality movie on gambling disorders, followed by a discussion on the feelings experienced and practical advice related to responsible gaming.