Sands China Holds 8th Responsible Gaming Ambassador Advanced Training

Unique programme increases team members' problem gaming assistance knowledge and intervention skills

(Macao, Sept 27, 2023) – A group of over 60 Sands China team members were the latest to complete the company's annual advanced responsible gaming training programme Sept. 19 and 20 at The Venetian^® Macao, aimed at strengthening their knowledge and supporting the Macao government's "Seeking Help for Winning the Future" responsible gaming initiatives.

Through team members' training as Responsible Gaming Ambassadors, they gain enhanced knowledge of problem gambling and awareness of the importance of responsible gaming. Since 2013, Sands China Ltd. has been providing the training as a supplement to its company-wide responsible gaming training delivered to all of Sands China's more than 26,000 team members.

Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassador programme is delivered by world-renowned responsible gaming expert Professor Bo J. Bernhard, vice president of UNLV's Office of Economic Development, who shared his academic insights on responsible gaming knowledge and experience from the United States with team members.

Bernhard was joined by Professor Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, who explained the implementation of responsible gaming in Macao to participants, and by a team of senior counsellors from the Sheng Kung Hui Gambling Counseling and Family Wellness Centre and its 24-Hour Gambling Counselling Hotline, who helped enhance team members' practical responsible gaming knowledge and skills in areas such as crisis management and intervention techniques. To reinforce their learning, participants engaged in role-playing exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of the problem gambling counselling services and the accessibility of the 24-hour counselling hotline. This training ensured participants are well-prepared to offer timely assistance to individuals facing gambling challenges.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd., said: "Sands China is very pleased to be able hold this elite responsible gaming training once again. The successful programme remains the only one in Macao held in collaboration with UNLV, and we are proud to continue our collaboration with Professor Bernhard, combining his expertise with our own local experts like Professor Fong and senior instructors from Sheng Kung Hui, for the benefit of our team members and guests. Moving forward, our steadfast dedication to promoting responsible gaming will persist as we strive to foster the sustainable development of the industry."

After their training sessions, the over 60 team members were recognized with UNLV certificates and Sands China Responsible Gaming Ambassador pins. They will now serve as ambassadors in their various departments and positions, where they will actively promote responsible gaming, take charge of related handling and reporting tasks, as well as provide support and referral services using the professional knowledge and skills they gained through the training sessions.

Sands China's 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.

Sands China has offered the Responsible Gaming Ambassador training programme to 600 team members to date. After completion, Responsible Gaming 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 strives to build a culture of responsible gaming, including through initiatives that help raise awareness and increase understanding. The company became 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: A group of over 60 Sands China team members were the latest to complete the company's annual advanced responsible gaming training programme at sessions on Sept. 19 (pictured) and Sept. 20 at The Venetian Macao, aimed at strengthening their knowledge and supporting the Macao government's "Seeking Help for Winning the Future" responsible gaming initiatives.

Photo caption: World-renowned responsible gaming expert Professor Bo J. Bernhard (right), vice president of UNLV's Office of Economic Development, shares his academic insights on responsible gaming and his experience from the United States with Sands China team members during a session of the company's Responsible Gaming Ambassador training programme at The Venetian Macao Sept. 19.

Photo caption: Professor Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, explains the implementation of responsible gaming in Macao to participants during a session of Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassador training programme Sept. 19 at The Venetian Macao.

Photo caption: Team members engage in role-playing exercises during a session of Sands China's Responsible Gaming Ambassador training programme Sept. 20 at The Venetian Macao. The session helped foster a deeper understanding of the services and accessibility of the Sheng Kung Hui Gambling Counseling and Family Wellness Centre and its 24-Hour Gambling Counselling Hotline.