The Impacts of Gambling on Society and Youth Prepared by Breakthrough Research Unit 20 May 2000

Gambling in Hong Kong  No. of Gamblers in Hong Kong  2.3 m gamblers (projected from Breakthrough 1999 survey)  1 m active horse racing gamblers (CUHK)  Underdeveloped domains  No local figures of problematic & pathological gamblers  No systematic prevention, help or treatment services are available

Problematic Gambling  Around 2.5% adult population or 5% gambling population are problematic  Around 2.5% adult population or 5% gambling population are problematic (US studies)  From the projected figure of 2.3 m local gamblers, over 120 thousand problematic gamblers in Hong Kong  From the projected figure of 2.3 m local gamblers, over 120 thousand problematic gamblers in Hong Kong (estimated)

Gambling as Social Problem A Tip of the Iceberg Problem  e.g. 14% of police with serious debt involving gambling problem (HKPF 1999)  2nd major cause of serious debt problem  implications to the HKPF and society are potential costly

Societal Cost Estimation  Each problem gambler cost society US$13,000 per year  Each problem gambler cost society US$13,000 per year (US study)  Hong Kong costs for 120 thousand problem gamblers =HK$12 billion annually  The overall Gov. & societal gain from the gambling industry=HK$13 billion betting duty, 1.1billion Charity Trust, 0.63 billion Lottery Fund (98-99)

Youth Impact  70% pathological gamblers formed their habit before age 18  70% pathological gamblers formed their habit before age 18 (US study)  44% youth whose parents are gamblers interested in gambling--1.3 times higher  44% youth whose parents are gamblers interested in gambling--1.3 times higher (YFGHK 1999)  58% youth accept any kind of gambling once it’s legalized  58% youth accept any kind of gambling once it’s legalized (YFGHK 1999)

Public Opinion on Gambling  90% considered existing outlets & forms adequate (Breakthrough 1999)  Over 70% concerned negative social impacts (especially on youth)

Conclusions  Size of gambling-related problem unclear  No systematic services offered  Direct and indirect costs imply heavy social burden  Gambling habit formed at earlier years of life predispose pathological gambling  Government policies not coordinated systematically

Recommendations  Research on the problem and consultations to professions and general public  Committed to prevention and education  Committee on Control of Gambling  Government and gambling industry committed to cost induced by gambling problem