The Ping Wo Fund has been set up to finance preventive and remedial measures against gambling-related problems.
The charitable trust fund has been established under Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho with contributions from the HK Jockey Club.
The club has undertaken to contribute $24 million within the next two years and up to $15 million annually over the following three years. The fund also welcomes donations from the public.
Mr Ho said: "The Chinese name of the fund, Ping Wo, means balance and harmony, advocating the pursuit of a balanced and harmonious life, as a safeguard against over-indulgence in gambling."
Two counselling centres to be set up
The Government has selected Caritas and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to run two counselling and treatment centres for problem and pathological gamblers from next month, following an open tender exercise.
In addition to the public education measures on problem gambling already implemented, the Government will commission HK Education City to run a two-year education campaign targeting young people, school students, teachers and parents on gambling-related issues.
The package of preventive and educational measures, Mr Ho said, aimed to raise overall public awareness of the harm of excessive gambling and minimise the adverse impact of gambling-related problems in the community.
Fund finances research and treatment
The ambit of the Ping Wo Fund is mainly to finance:
* research and studies into problems and issues relating to gambling;
* public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems relating to gambling; and,
* counselling, treatment and other remedial or support services for problem and pathological gamblers and those affected by them.
Committee to advise on fund use
A Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee will be established to oversee the use and application of the fund. Former Open University President Professor Tam Sheung-wai has been appointed its chairman.
The other five non-official members are:
* Chui Pak-ming - a practising solicitor, member of a number of appeal boards and tribunals;
* Ho Hon Kuen - Vice Principal of a secondary school and Vice Chairman of Education Convergence, member of the Football Betting & Lotteries Commission;
* Andrew Ma - a practising accountant, President of the HK Federation of Youth Groups;
* Dr David Tsang - a practising psychiatrist; and,
* Prof Angelina Yuen - Associate Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Polytechnic University, member of the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund Committee and Social Workers Registration Board
The committee also includes representatives for the Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Education & Manpower and Director of Social Welfare as official members.
University to monitor effectiveness
In the meantime, a university will be commissioned to assist the Government in evaluating and monitoring the performance and effectiveness of the pilot counselling and treatment services with a view to drawing up the most effective service model for Hong Kong.
The Government will also commission an academic institution to carry out a tracking study on the impact of gambling participation, and the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in Hong Kong.
Awareness campaign warns against excessive gambling
Under the Government's public education programme, television and radio announcements on the adverse consequences of excessive gambling have been broadcast since July.
Posters and banners to warn against excessive gambling have also been displayed in various places, including Off-Course Betting Centres.
More announcements and a TV documentary drama on gambling-related issues will be produced later.
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