As EURO 2012 approaches, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is producing a series of educational programmes to alert members of the public to the dangers of illegal and online gambling.
The increased popularity of smartphones and tablet computers means that efforts by illegal and online bookmakers to lure customers with special promotions and gambling applications are likely to become more severe. The Club is therefore anxious to remind the public to stay away from these gambling traps, and to advise adolescents to enjoy watching football without betting.
The four-episode series, “Stay Alert to Illegal and Online Gambling”, will include interviews with Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Raymond Young Lap-moon, Chairman of the Betting and Lotteries Commission Dr Samuel Yung Wing-ki, Chairman of Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee Dr Yau Wing-kwong, the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak Kin-wah and other community members. They remind the public to stay watchful about the latest illegal and online gambling trends and the social problems they can cause, explaining Hong Kong’s three-pronged approach to tackle illegal gambling through law enforcement, public education and the provision of regulated and responsible betting services.
Representatives from two of the local counselling service agencies, Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counselling Centre and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre, will participate in the episodes, introducing their counselling services for addicted gamblers and their families. Some former addicted gamblers will also share their experiences in front of the camera, hoping that the public can draw lessons from them.
The Club has a long-standing commitment to providing regulated betting services in a socially responsible manner, meeting the social demand for betting while ensuring the highest integrity standards, strict underage access controls and no credit betting throughout its operations. The TV episodes highlight the "Do Not Gamble" message to the underaged, as well as emphasise the access control measures adopted by the Club to prevent anyone under 18 from entering betting premises or opening betting accounts.
The 90-second episodes will be broadcast from 1 to 30 June (please see table below for details) on now HONG KONG (Channel 100), now NEWS (Channel 332), now BNC (Channel 333) and now Sports 2 (Channel 632). Complementary news stories will also be featured in Headline Daily (every Friday) and Ming Pao (every Monday) from 2 June onwards.
Synopses of the four episodes are as follows:
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Episode
(Airing Date)
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Theme and Synopsis
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One -
1-7 June
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Illegal gambling apps drive you crazy
The rapid development of smartphones and tablet computers have made it easy for people to download applications anytime and anywhere. Illegal and online bookmakers have introduced a wide range of applications to attract people to gambling. Online gambling addiction is not only a social problem as the people involved have also breached the law.
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Two -
8-14 June
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Illegal gambling can ruin your life
Illegal and online bookmakers seek every chance to lure customers to illegal gambling. Mr M, a former gambling addict, talks about how his participation in illegal gambling got himself and his family trapped in a hopeless land. A government official and social worker are also interviewed in this episode, urging people not to engage in illegal gambling.
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Three -
15-21 June
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Youth adopt “Do Not Gamble” approach
EURO 2012 is the Talk of the Town. Young people, trying to imitate adults’ behaviour, may try to enter the Club’s Off-course Betting Branches to bet. Fortunately, the Club’s front-line staff are well-trained to prevent the underaged from entering the premises or placing bets. This episode also features a football coach, who apart from teaching football skills to the young players, highlights the “Do Not Gamble” message to them.
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Four -
22-30 June
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Solving the problem of gambling addiction
The Club is fully aware of the hard-to-solve social problems resulting from illegal gambling and gambling addiction. Therefore, the Club has for many years contributed to the Ping Wo Fund to finance its research and studies into gambling problems and related issues. The Fund also undertakes public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems relating to gambling, and it provides counselling, treatment and remedial or support services for problem and pathological gamblers and those affected by them.
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The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Raymond Young Lap-moon
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Chairman of the Betting and Lotteries Commission Dr Samuel Yung Wing-ki
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Chairman of Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee Dr Yau Wing-kwong
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the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak Kin-wah
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