Macao teenagers see football betting as fashion: poll ( 2003-08-07 15:18) (Agencies) Macao's teenagers see
football betting as a fashion rather than a gambling game, according to a poll
conducted by the Macao Juvenile Crime Research Association.
The result carried on the Macao News Daily on Thursday said that most of the
teenagers it polled responded as saying they would be considered falling behind
fashion, if they didn't have the experience of engaging in a football betting.
Teenagers in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) are protected by
law to be kept out of casinos, which are legal business in Macao. However, they
can have an easy access to get involved in football betting by buying lotteries.
The poll targeted teenagers between the age of 12 to 17 showed that over 70
percent of the 83 surveyed people admitted that they have the betting
experience, and the football betting is a fashionable topic among teenagers.
They can conduct the game over phone calls or through Internet transactions. The
averaged per-time stake is under 50 patacas.(US$ six).
The poll found a lack of legal consciousness among students, since most of
the surveyed don't know that it is illegal for teenagers to get involved in
football betting. Some claimed that the game can alleviate their psychological
pressure, and it is a topic to share with friends.
It also found that 1.7 percent of the surveyed students often feel short of
money because of the spending on the game. They became enthusiastic about the
game because experienced betters can win more respects from their peers in
school. The association suggested the society provide more substitute games
suitable for youngsters.
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