Sands China Makes Noteworthy Contributions in Responsible Gaming in 2022

(Macao, Jan. 19, 2023) – Sands China's responsible gaming efforts and achievements in 2022 were noteworthy, and provide strong momentum for continuing the company's long-standing responsible gaming work in the community in 2023.

"Sands China is very proud of our responsible gaming team for remaining steadfast in carrying out their impactful work during another challenging pandemic year in 2022," said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd. "Responsible gaming is an essential element of our industry and a key aspect of Sands China's corporate social responsibility efforts. As we look onward with optimism for Macao in the new year, we will continue to support the Macao SAR government's responsible gaming strategy in promotion of the stable development of the city."

Responsible Gaming Implementation Model Unit
In 2022, the Macao SAR government awarded The Venetian^® Casino and The Londoner® Casino with the qualification of Responsible Gaming Implementation Model Unit in its Responsible Gambling Indicators programme.

Sands China was the first integrated resort operator in Macao to apply for inspections under the programme, with the assessments carried out by government departments and local universities. The programme presented a trophy to Sands China to mark its accomplishment at a government ceremony in December.

Donations
In February, Sands China donated a total of MOP 450,000 to four local nongovernmental organisations to aid their responsible gaming efforts in 2022: the Young Men's Christian Association of Macau, the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office, the Macau Gaming Industry Employees Home and the Youth Volunteers Association of Macao.

Sands China has donated more than MOP 6.25 million since 2006, when it began making responsible gaming donations to various local NGOs each year as part of the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility. The donations help support responsible gaming efforts such as parent-child responsible gaming and financial management activities, roadshows, workshops, trainings, sharing sessions, and responsible gaming promotional videos and quiz games.

Training
As part of its ongoing support of the Macao SAR Government's "Lost Control, Lose Family" responsible gaming campaign, Sands China hosted a full-day training course entitled Knowing More About Responsible Gaming with the Youth Volunteers Association of Macau, with sessions offered in January, May and June at The Venetian Macao's Adelson Advanced Education Centre.

The topics covered included self-exclusion, third-party exclusion, the use and operation of responsible gaming kiosks and stations, the eight attitudes and behaviours of responsible gaming, the risks of gambling addiction, and the latest information on responsible gaming. Nearly 150 Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassadors participated in the initiative.

Additionally, Sands China held an online Responsible Gaming Refresher Training for frontline team members on the company's myLEARNING online platform in November, with more than 7,200 frontline team members joining the training.

Parent-Child Event Series
More than 270 participants joined Sands China's Responsible Gaming Parent-Child Event Series in 2022. The five events featured fun and interactive activities with the objective of improving family communication, developing the concept of smart financial management, and increasing responsible gaming awareness among families.

In one activity, Little Master Chef, children received play money and were given the option to either purchase ingredients for completing their mission of decorating a cupcake, or spend their money on toys and snacks, with their parents there to provide guidance. The aim was to strengthen the family relationship and to teach children the concept of financial management.

Visiting Local NGOs
Led by Andy Kobel, Sands China's senior vice president of table games and gaming optimization, the company's responsible gaming team visited four local NGOs in September: the Youth Volunteers Association of Macao, the Young Men's Christian Association of Macau, the Macau Gaming Industry Employees Home Integrated Service Centre, and the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office.

While there, the participants introduced Sands China's responsible gaming promotions and went on site tours to learn more about the NGOs' facilities and their services during the pandemic. The visits offered valuable opportunities for exchanging responsible gaming knowledge gained through these community partnerships.

Roadshows
In order to promote responsible gaming in the community, Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassadors held three roadshows as part of Through the Years of Perplexity, a gambling disorder prevention campaign hosted by the Macau Gaming Employees Home at various locations such as Fai Chi Kei, Rotunda de Carlos Da Maia, and Taipa Flower City in October. The objective was to help tourists and the general public understand the negative impact of gambling addiction, and to guide people in need to seek help and counselling services. The three-day event attracted more than 3,000 people.

For team members, Sands China invited the Youth Volunteers Association of Macao, the Young Men's Christian Association of Macau, the Macau Gaming Industry Employees Home, and the Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office to hold a total of 30 roadshows at various times throughout the year. The roadshows were held at Sands China's back-of-house team member areas to strengthen and refresh team members' understanding of responsible gaming in a fun and interactive way.

Sands China remains committed to the well-being of its guests and recognises the importance of responsible gaming in 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: The Macao SAR government awards The Venetian Casino, which passed the requirements of the Responsible Gambling Indicators programme in July 2022, with the qualification of Responsible Gaming Implementation Model Unit on Dec. 15, 2022.

   

Photo caption: Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassadors hold a roadshow at Rotunda de Carlos da Maia on Oct. 24, 2022, as part of Through the Years of Perplexity, a gambling disorder prevention campaign hosted by the Macau Gaming Employees Home. In order to promote responsible gaming in the community, they participated in three similar roadshows in October, at various locations such as Fai Chi Kei and Taipa Flower City, with the aim to help tourists and the general public understand the negative impact of gambling addiction, and to guide people in need to seek help and counselling services. The three-day event attracted more than 3,000 people.