Sands China Initiates Responsible Gaming Skill Enhancement for Macau's Youth

Sands China Ltd has embarked on a fresh initiative aimed at fostering young talent through their Responsible Gaming Skill Enhancement Program. This endeavor is tailored for University of Macau students and merges hands-on training with an education in responsible gaming practices.

Synergy Between Industry, Academia, and Community

This venture marks the first time Sands China has embraced a collaborative model that unites industry, academic institutions, and community efforts in their mission of promoting responsible gaming. The project primarily seeks to deepen local youth's understanding of responsible gaming, hone their practical skills, and broaden their international outlook. The long-term aspiration of Sands China with this program is to nurture future talents essential for the continuous development of Macau's integrated tourism and leisure sectors. This vision is embedded in the program's framework, which assimilates theoretical insights with practical applications and community feedback.

Student Enthusiasm and Selection Process

Interest in this project surged from the onset. Approximately 150 students from the University of Macau expressed their eagerness to participate, with 32 selected for the initial training phase. These students were then organized into small teams, tasked with creating innovative and practical proposals to advance responsible gaming.

Student Proposals and Comparative Study Visit to Singapore

The proposals tackled issues including educational and community advocacy, interactive learning experiences, everyday useful information, social media, short video clips, digital engagement, and financial awareness. Following presentations and evaluations, outstanding students were chosen to join a delegation of 23, alongside representatives from Sands China, the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, and the Macau Youth Volunteer Association. The group engaged in a four-day comparative study visit to Singapore from May 31 to June 3, featuring a visit to Marina Bay Sands. Sands China noted that this activity enabled learning across perspectives, youth insights, community needs, academic research, and regional practices.

Corporate and Academic Perspectives

Dr. Wilfred Wong, the executive vice chairman, affirmed Sands China's dedication to supporting the Macau SAR government's objectives by enhancing responsible gaming promotion and related talent development initiatives. He highlighted that the launch of this program this year is rooted in seeing the youth as the pillars of Macau's sustainable development. Wong further explained that by combining corporate, academic, and community resources, the program had allowed local students to expand their learning beyond classrooms through experiential education. This effort aims to instill a stronger sense of social responsibility and a global perspective.