Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING OCTOBER 2018 8 The business of giving www.asgam.com I recently attended a meeting with one of Macau’s concessionaires at which I was lucky enough to enjoy an hour-long presentation detailing the company’s many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. I use the word “lucky” because, in an industry where so much of what we report tends to focus on a company’s financial results or grand expansion plans, it is far too easy to overlook the incredible contributions these major operators make to those who need it most. To not only see the quality work this concessionaire was undertaking but understand the background behind each initiative was an eye opener to say the least. Ironically, it was just a few days later that Macau was struck by Typhoon Mangkhut – just the second time in 19 years that the strongest possible T10 signal had been raised in the SAR but coming just 13 months after the first. Just like last year, when Typhoon Hato caused around MOP$11.5 billion worth of damage across Macau, the concessionaires were quick to mobilize. Sands China, for example, sent multiple staff to check on the city’s elderly citizens, help secure their homes and then deliver much-needed food and supplies in the immediate aftermath. A few days later, the same company sent 60 volunteers to clean up debris- strewn Hac Sa Beach. Around 100 Melco Resorts staff were deployed to move dangerous hoarding that had been dislodged by powerful winds. Nearby, Galaxy Entertainment Group gathered volunteers to hand out meal boxes prepared personally by the IRs own chefs, along with Red Cross Family Kits containing a range of daily necessities. A cynical man might say that such actions are designed purely to garner some positive publicity, but my recent concessionaire meeting shone a clear light on the fact that these companies really are putting in a concerted effort to make a difference. With that in mind I did some research into the most recent CSR initiatives from Macau’s concessionaires and found a number of notable causes that deserve mentioning. In the past few weeks alone, MGM, for example, has launched its “Healthy Workplace & Happy Life” OSH campaign for over 3,000 staff; announced that it will stop using all single-use plastics and replace them with environmentally- friendly alternatives at all of its restaurants in the first quarter of 2019; and organized a food safety seminar for local SMEs. Galaxy has sponsored the 10th Youth National Education Competition, sending a number of students to Beijing to visit government departments and mainland organizations, as well as hosting the first Environmental, Health & Safety Education & Awareness Week aimed at enhancing team members’ knowledge and awareness of occupational safety and environmental conservation. Melco has in the last month donated over 1,000 boxes of mooncakes to the less fortunate, held its second annual “Quiz for Knowledge” responsible gaming competition and hosted a “One Day Volunteer” program whereby staff attended multiple events across Macau to assist families – particularly children with special needs, senior citizens and mentally and physically handicapped persons. Not to mention the many initiatives these companies keep “in- house” such as providing financial and emotional support to staff members in need as well as pathways for them to improve their place in life through various education programs. It is all too easy to simply look at the gaming industry as a business – and of course a business it is – but as the events that followed Typhoon Mangkhut this year and Typhoon Hato in 2017 so clearly showed, it is also a very unique community. Ben Blaschke Managing Editor We crave your feedback. Please email your comments to bb@asgam.com. EDITORIAL