2018 - 2022: FIFA World Cup and Problem Gambling

Opening Event (2018)

Opening Ceremony of 2018-2019 Gambling Awareness Programs and Research Projects Jointly Conducted by AAAP and Caritas Institute of Higher Education. The ceremony was co-organized by Hong Kong Buddhist Association Youth Centre and Hong Kong Swargame.

2018 FIFA World Cup: Campus Gambling Awareness Programs held at Caritas Institute of Higher Education with more than 300 Hong Kong student participants recruited from high schools, colleges, universities and youth centres

Research and Press Conferences (2018-2020)

Study 1 2018 FIFA World Cup: Gambling Problems among Hong Kong College and University Students

The study was jointly conducted by the Asian Association of Addiction Prevention (AAAP) and Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE).
A questionnaire was distributed to 593 students with a response rate of 86%. The rates of lifetime and past-year gambling involvement are 79.6% and 41.8% respectively.
Many (60%) started gambling before 18 years, and 15% met the criteria for lifetime pathological gambling. Risk factors of pathological gambling were identified. The findings shed light on prevention and intervention programs.

Study 2 2018 FIFA World Cup: Problem Gambling among Hong Kong Secondary School Students

The study was conducted by the Asian Association of Addiction Prevention (AAAP) and Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE). A total of 610 secondary school students were distributed a survey questionnaire (response rate: 85%). The rates of lifetime and past-year gambling are 63% and 39% respectively. The lifetime gamblers placed their first bet at 10.1 years, while 9.7% could be classified as pathological gamblers. More than a third reported problem gambling among their family members. Correlates of pathological gambling were identified. The survey results have implication on preventive and awareness programs.

Study 3 2018 FIFA World Cup: Gender Differences in Soccer Betting

The study was conducted by the AAAP and the CIHE. Altogether 1,028 students filled a survey questionnaire. Eight percent of 518 high school students and 20% of 510 tertiary students were attracted to bet on the 2018 FIFA World Cup soccer games. Females were encouraged to play by gambling peers and family members, while males wanted to win money. High school and tertiary students began gambling at 9 and 10 years (mean age) respectively. Many reported problem gambling among their peers and family members.

Study 4 Youth Illegal Gambling in Hong Kong

During 2018-2019, a youth survey and in-depth interviews were conducted by the Asian Association of Addiction Prevention (AAAP) and Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE). A standardized questionnaire was distributed to 1203 students recruited from secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The response rate was 85.5% (581 men and 447 women). One-tenth of the survey participants (10.2%) wagered online at offshore gambling sites in the previous year.

They were involved in illegal gambling as engagement in any gambling activities not authorized by the Hong Kong government is a criminal offence. Hence, gambling at offshore gambling sites was unlawful. Men dominated in illegal gambling (tertiary students: 75%; high school students: 49%). Illegal football betting was the most favorite game (77.5%). Compared with the student gamblers who staked at legal gambling providers, the illegal gamblers were more vulnerable to problem gambling. They also reported higher life dissatisfaction and perceived stress.

https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20201212/bkn-20201212173014159-1212_00822_001.html

Recent Activities

Dr. Irene Wong attended the 2021 Best Practice Awards presentation ceremony organized by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services in December 2022.

Dr. Cheong Hay Chu reported the major findings of a study on mental health issues at the press conference held jointly with Caritas Family Services in December 2022.