Preface

There remain little doubts that the major trends regarding gambling over the past several years have been towards its increased acceptance, legitimization, and legalization in various forms in different parts of the world. The recurring underlying reason for casino legalization over the past years might be economic and tourism development. However, gambling is not always an economic panacea. There is also a variety of social problems arising from gambling related activities with several legal implications. Those social costs of gambling can include an increase in crime, prostitution, and alcohol and drug use in the gaming area. One of the most commonly cited reasons for the society objections to the introduction of casino gambling appears to be the fear of the advent of pathological (compulsive) gambling which may be a serious problem if not effectively dealt with. Despite the fact that pathological gambling is recognized as a medical disorder in USA, it has been increasingly regarded by the governments and the gaming industry as an issue of legitimate concern for the public. It has gradually become one of the most urgent public policy challenges in the world. There are a large number of publications which deal in detail with this issue from the medical and sociological angles. However, knowledge of this problem from the perspective of regulations and law is still in its infancy. In this context, it will be of much theoretical and practical significance to find out how to understand this issue correctly and find a rational legal system to regulate it. This book tries to deal with many important legal issues with regard to one of the most important problems which are highly contentious pathological gambling, in the hope of giving certain inspiration to help people confronted with this problem from law and regulations point of view throughout the world. At the same time, the book serves as a reference to sound development ofMacaus gambling industry. The investigation attempts to touch upon the latest developments of some western jurisdictions addressing these legal issues regarding pathological gambling by emphasizing the current problems encountered by the judges and the courts in these jurisdictions and it is expected to provide some valuable suggestions for the Macau SAR Government in exploring and configuring effective regulations on the foreseeable questions induced from pathological gambling.

The book is organized as follows. Besides introduction and conclusions, this book consists of five chapters. Chapter I deals with a general introduction to gambling and pathological gambling. Chapter II analyzes legal considerations of Self-Exclusion program. Chapter III discusses an important question as to whether or not gaming operators owe a duty of care to pathological gamblers. Chapter IV focuses on the relationship between pathological gambling disorder and criminal law. Chapter V explains responsible gambling program.

This book has been specially prepared as a reference guide to provide information helpful to legislators, judicial staff and related academic researchers. At the same time, I hope that this book full of experimental writing can achieve the desired effect of inspiring and encouraging more deep research findings to emerge.

I would like to thank City University of Macau, Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at UniversitiesResearch Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development (RCMSED), Rector Shuguang Zhang, Vice Rector Fanqing Kong, Pro-Rector IP Kuai Peng, Pro-Rector Qianwen Chen, Mr. Robert Chan, Registrar Shuying Li, Mr. Wicky and Mr. Jason Kuok. So for their great help and support for the publication of this book. I would also like to thank Caiyun Lu, Haibo Li, Xiaofei Yu and their colleagues of Intellectual Property Publishing House, as well as Peggy involved in planning and coordinating the publication of this book, for their thorough and meticulous work. This book could be presented to you due to their tremendous efforts. Last but not least, I would like to thank Tong Io Cheng, Jianhong Liu, Jorge Godinho, Hongjiang Li, José C. Alves, Yueng Wah Khong, Yinggui Wang, Peng Chao, Mei Ge, Yuanyuan Wang, Tingyue Kuang, Linzhi Ai and Him for their valuable advice in the course of writing this book.