Sands China Launches ‘Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme’
Introducing industry-academia-community collaboration model to nurture local youth
Participants embark on Singapore study tour to gain global insights
(Macao, July 13, 2026) – Sands China has launched its new Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme under the company’s Responsible Gaming Academy, actively aligning with the Macao SAR government’s guidance on responsible gaming. Tailored for students from the University of Macau (UM), this initiative marks the first adoption of industry-academia-community collaboration model within the company’s responsible gaming programmes. Bringing together industry expertise from Sands China, academic resources from UM’s Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming (ISCG), and community engagement experience from the Youth Volunteers Association of Macau (AJVM), the programme rolled out an array of training sessions, a presentation and review of student proposals, and an educational study tour in Singapore. The initiative aims to elevate local youth’s knowledge of responsible gaming, cultivate their practical capabilities, and expand their international perspectives, with a view to nurturing future talent for the sustainable development of Macao’s integrated tourism and leisure industry.
The programme has received an enthusiastic response, with around 150 UM students expressing interest in taking part. Following a rigorous selection process, 32 students were shortlisted for the first phase of training, who worked in groups to develop creative and practical proposals for promoting responsible gaming. The proposals cover a wide range of areas, including promotion across schools and community, experiential and interactive learning, accessible information tailored for daily scenarios, content for social media and short videos, digital engagement tools, as well as financial education and risk-awareness initiatives. Following the presentation and review process upon the proposals, the top-performers were selected to join representatives from Sands China, ISCG, and AJVM to form a 23-member delegation for a four-day study tour in Singapore May 31-June 3.
The initiative has fostered a dynamic cross-sector exchange between Sands China, ISCG, and AJVM. Through the students’ inventive proposals and the subsequent Singapore study tour, the three collaborating parties were able to learn from one another, through the lenses of youth perspectives, community needs, academic research, and cross-regional practices. These exchanges offer valuable insights for future responsible gaming education, community outreach, and youth talent cultivation.
As a major highlight of the programme, the Singapore study tour comprised selected students and Sands China’s Responsible Gaming Ambassadors. The delegation toured local integrated resorts, including a visit to Marina Bay Sands to engage in deep exchanges with its responsible gaming and operations teams. The itinerary also included visits to Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and WE CARE Community Services, giving participants practical insights into Singapore’s responsible gaming practices, which span governance frameworks, information displays, customer support, public education, and community networking.
The Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme was designed in alignment with the Macao SAR government’s responsible gaming promotional theme, “Learn RG, Keep the Fun Alive,” while supporting this year’s strategic focus on youth. The programme encourages higher education students to come up with novel responsible gaming proposals to address youth and community needs through public education, social service, and cross-sector collaboration.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China has been committed to supporting the Macao SAR government’s objectives by strengthening our responsible gaming promotional efforts and related talent cultivation initiatives. Recognising youth as a cornerstone of Macao’s sustainable development, the company launched its inaugural ‘Sands China Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme’ this year, aiming to deepen engagement with the new generation. By synergising corporate, academic, and community resources, the innovative programme has taken local students beyond classrooms through diverse forms of experiential learning, empowering them with a strong sense of social responsibility and a global perspective. We hope these young programme participants will share what they have learned with their schools and communities, and use their positive influence to help promote the message of responsible gaming. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Macao SAR government for their continuous guidance, and to our local academic and community partners for their steadfast support. Moving forward, Sands China remains dedicated to working hand in hand with all sectors of society to advance responsible gaming efforts, thereby contributing to the long-term development of Macao.”
Professor Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, said: “This Singapore study tour offered students an invaluable opportunity to bridge theory and practice. Observing the live operations of two integrated resorts and experiencing how responsible gaming initiatives work in the real world gave students profound insights that far exceed classroom teaching. The trip was truly exceptional, as each team developed creative responsible gaming proposals ahead of time, allowing them to benchmark their concepts against Singapore’s current policies and practices. Ultimately, their reflection within a policy-driven framework on the nuances between Macao and Singapore’s integrated resorts — coupled with comparative analysis of both region’s responsible gaming strategies — served as one of the most inspiring highlights of the tour.”
Austin Vong, president of the Youth Volunteers Association of Macau, said: “Through a progressive, three-stage framework comprising ‘training, competition, and overseas exchange,’ this initiative guides youth on a transformative journey, from understanding the foundational concepts of responsible gaming to proactively formulating promotional proposals and acquiring hands-on experience from resorts and non-governmental organisation in Singapore. Our goal is to inspire more young people to become proactive responsible gaming champions, driving fresh momentum for Macao’s future.”
Zhao Zhuofan, Year 1 student in the Master of Science in Financial Technology programme of the University of Macau, said: “Participating in this youth development programme and its Singapore study tour has not only deepened our understanding of Sands China’s responsible gaming practices, but also has fostered a profound grasp of the fact that responsible gaming promotion hinges upon the collaboration of government, corporations, and social service organisations. This invaluable journey has broadened our horizons, inspiring us to explore innovative, youth-centric, and community-driven approaches that will integrate responsible gaming principles into the fabric of Macao society.”
Sands China remains committed to promoting responsible gaming education and related talent cultivation in Macao. As a pioneer in launching responsible gaming programmes in Macao, Sands China implemented a self-exclusion programme in 2004 and incorporated responsible gaming training into team member orientation in 2007. In November 2025, Sands China officially launched its Responsible Gaming Academy, one of eight sub-academies under the Sands China Academy. The new academy collaborates with local and international higher education institutions to provide a diversity of responsible gaming training for team members, in support of professional talent development in Macao. Sands China additionally signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Macau to continue jointly running the RG360 Macau Responsible Gaming Specialist Ambassador Course, raising more professionals with expertise in responsible gaming. Looking ahead, Sands China will continue to promote an environment and culture of responsible gaming in the community while advancing education on mental and physical wellness for team members and guests.
Photo caption: Students from the University of Macau participate in Sands China’s new Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme under the company’s Responsible Gaming Academy. The training sessions gave students a deep understanding of responsible gambling concepts, industry practices, and the role of social service organizations within the community.
Photo caption: Students present their innovative responsible gaming proposals to a panel of professional judges at a review session, showcasing promotional plans that were both creative and practical.
Photo caption: Selected outstanding students visit Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and the community support agency WE CARE to gain in-depth insights into the operational model of Singapore’s integrated resorts and the practices associated with promoting responsible gaming.