Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors Complete Refresher Training

(Macao, Oct. 6, 2020) – A group of approximately 60 of Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors completed a refresher training Sept. 23 at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, part of the company’s continued efforts to strengthen team members’ responsible gaming knowledge and skills, in support of the Macao SAR government’s various responsible gaming initiatives.

As Responsible Gaming Ambassadors, the team members have undergone training to gain enhanced knowledge of problem gambling, and awareness of the importance of responsible gaming – in order to provide appropriate response and assistance to patrons exhibiting signs of problem gambling. Sands China Ltd. has provided the advanced training since 2013, as a supplement to the company-wide responsible gaming training delivered to all of Sands China’s more than 28,000 team members.

“As a pioneer and strong proponent of responsible gaming in Macao, Sands China remains steadfast in promoting responsible gaming to our team members and guests,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd. “We are pleased that this refresher training is able to help enhance our Responsible Gaming Ambassadors’ skills and knowledge, and reinforce their ability to provide assistance to our guests.”

The refresher training began with an updated introduction to Sands China’s responsible gaming policies, followed by a sharing session on the Implementation of Responsible Gaming in Macao, conducted by Professor Davis Fong, the director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau.

Fong said: “It is important to continually enhance Ambassadors’ and all team members’ responsible gaming awareness, which is not only conducive to the industry’s health, but also supports employees’ well-being. I am glad to have had the opportunity with Sands China in promoting responsible gaming in the community, and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

The programme continued with a session on standard operating procedures for Responsible Gaming Ambassadors. The presentation marked the first time standard operating procedures were included in the training, in order to help the Ambassadors take advantage of insights and effective measures gained from practical experience.

And in order to further support team members and the guests they help, participants reviewed their knowledge of the eight attitudes and behaviours of responsible gaming, as well as self-exclusions and third-party exclusions, and took part in a roleplaying session conducted by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office.

Sands China’s advanced Responsible Gaming Ambassador training programme was launched in 2013 and is a global initiative of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. As part of Sands China’s efforts to support the measures introduced by the Macao SAR government, new and enhanced elements are integrated each year.

The company has trained around 650 Responsible Gaming Ambassadors to date. The Ambassadors are able to provide appropriate response and assistance to patrons exhibiting signs of problem gambling and to initiate conversation through crisis management and intervention skills.

Sands China remains committed to the personal 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, in an effort to develop an environment and a culture of responsible gaming in Macao.

Photo caption: A group of around 60 of Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors gather together during a refresher training Sept. 23 at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, part of Sands China’s continued efforts to strengthen team members’ responsible gaming knowledge and skills, in support of the Macao SAR government’s various responsible gaming initiatives.

Photo caption: Professor Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, conducts a sharing session on the Implementation of Responsible Gaming in Macao Sept. 23 at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, as part of a refresher training for Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors.

Photo caption: Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors take part in a roleplaying session (left) conducted by the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office Sept. 23 at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central. The activity was part of a refresher training, in which the Responsible Gaming Ambassadors also reviewed their knowledge of the eight attitudes and behaviours of responsible gaming, as well as self-exclusions and third party exclusions, in order to further support Sands China team members and the guests they help.