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 (US studies) 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 (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 (US study) 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 (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