The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) will double the amount of annual contributions made to the Ping Wo Fund starting from next year – a demonstration of our continued commitment to partner with the Government and the community to address problem gambling issues and the many social problems created by illegal gambling.
The Club is a pioneer in promoting responsible gambling in Hong Kong. In 2003, the Club allocated HK$24 million to help the government set up the Ping Wo Fund. The Ping Wo Fund is managed by the Government and supports research on issues relating to gambling; public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems relating to gambling; as well as funds NGOs providing counselling and treatment for problem and pathological gamblers.
Contributions to the Ping Wo Fund in the current 2014/15 financial year is HK$20 million and this will be increased to HK$45 million next year. The Club has committed to the new funding for four years up to 2018/19.
With our latest four-year commitment, the total contributions pledged will exceed HK$362 million by 2018/19. Over 87,000 problem and pathological gamblers have received counselling from the four treatment centres supported by the Ping Wo Fund since 2003.
Meanwhile, the Club has been awarded the highest level of accreditation under the Responsible Gambling Framework of the World Lottery Association (WLA). This is the second time the Club has received this recognition and marks a new milestone in responsible gambling practices in the region as the Club is the first in Asia to be recertified.
The Club was granted Level 4 (the highest level) in 2011, with the accreditation to be recertified every three years. The Club’s responsible gambling employee training programmes and betting games design procedures have also been commended by WLA as best practices during the recertification this year. There are four levels of accreditation. Gambling operators are required to demonstrate their continous commitment to promoting responsible gambling, with submissions being judged by a panel of independent international experts in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
To achieve Level 4, operators must adopt the WLA’s ten responsible gambling principles into their day-to-day operations and decision making. These principles cover game design, stakeholder engagement, employee training, public education, problem gambling treatment services referral, and monintoring effectiveness of responsible gambling measures.
We have continued to find ways to further enhance the responsible gambling practices. As part of the public education initiatives, a new responsible gambling website will soon be launched. The new website is meant to serve as a one-stop portal with rich information and self-assessment tool to educate the public how to play responsibly. The new website can be accessed via this link starting from July 2015:
http://203.215.253.53/responsible-gambling
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record HK$3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.
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Photo 1:
Certificate of the Level 4 Responsible Gambling Accreditation awarded by the World Lottery Association.
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Photo 2, 3:
The new website provides one-stop portal for public to accessing responsible gambling related information.
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