S.Korea’s Kangwon Land runs problem-gambling prevention campaign

South Korea’s Kangwon Land Inc says it is running at its Kangwon Land complex, which has the country’s only casino permitted to serve local players, a campaign promoting responsible gaming. The effort is also to help customers identify signs of gambling-related harm. The casino firm said the initiative, which began in August and is due to continue monthly until November, involves two themed pop-up programmes offering self-assessment activities and information on problem-gambling prevention. One of the programmes, described as a “healthy gaming lounge”, allows casino customers to assess their gambling behaviour using a psychological test developed by the Kangwon Land Addiction Care Center (KLACC), as well as by the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Customers identified as being at higher risk are offered onsite counselling by specialists, as well as tailored advice on measures aimed at preventing gambling-related harm, according to a recent press release A separate pop-up programme uses games and other interactive methods to help resort visitors recognise warning signs associated with excessive gambling. The initiatives include self-assessment tests and quizzes designed to improve understanding of problem-gambling indicators. Other activities are available to encourage participation among resort visitors from a variety of age groups. Kim Gyeong-hun, head of KLACC, said the campaign aimed to enable customers and members of the public to participate in responsible-gaming awareness programmes through recreational activities. “We plan to continue the pop-up experiential booth campaign until November and also continue online promotions, taking the lead in preventing excessive gambling,” he was cited as saying.