According to the chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region, the local government intends to increase its commitment to Responsible Gambling on the gambling island.

Presenting his annual report to the Legislative Assembly yesterday (Wednesday), CEO Ho Hau Wah said that officials will cooperate with local academic institutions and civil groups in promoting the concept of "responsible gambling" in a bid to alleviate the negative impact of the island's gaming boom.

Ho's term of office ends in December, when he will be succeeded by another government appointee. In addition to the responsible gambling initiative, government intends to create more diversity in an economy which it feels is too dependent on gambling, Ho remarked.

The Chinese news agency Xinghua reports that Macau total gaming revenues for the third quarter this year reached 31.78 billion patacas (US$4.02 billion), which was the highest yet recorded, according to the figures from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

Published: 19th November 2009