Abstract： This study develops a conceptual framework to explain how internal self-discrepancies influence gambling retention behaviors. Drawing upon self-discrepancy and regulatory focus theories, the study posits that two distinct psychological gaps (i.e., actual-ideal and actual-ought discrepancies) activate different motivational systems and produce divergent behavioral outcomes. Actual-ideal discrepancy is forecasted to increase gambling retention by triggering promotion-focused motives and facilitating moral disengagement. In contrast, actual-ought discrepancy is expected to reduce retention by evoking prevention-focused concerns and moral identity threat. To explain how these internal conflicts are regulated, the framework introduces two self-regulatory mechanisms: moral disengagement and moral identity threat, which shape gamblers’ responses to psychological discomfort. In addition, user-generated content and corporate social responsibility are identified as contextual moderators that influence the direction and intensity of these processes. User-generated content is proposed to intensify the effects of actual-ideal discrepancy by legitimizing gambling as aspirational, while corporate social responsibility is predicted to mitigate the negative impact of actual-ought discrepancy by offering moral reassurance. By shifting attention from firm-driven retention strategies to consumer-based psychological mechanisms, this study offers new insights into the moral and motivational dynamics underlying sustained gambling behavior. The framework contributes to marketing and consumer research by integrating theories of identity regulation, moral processing, and social influence in ethically complex consumption domains.

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Abstract： Macau’s new Gaming Law sets clear requirements for gaming companies to fulfill their social responsibilities. Over two years after the new Gaming Law came into effect, evaluating gaming companies’ social responsibility performance can help improve their performance and the SAR government’s oversight. This paper, based on the social responsibility pyramid model, stakeholder theory, and the stakeholder salience assessment model, assesses the social responsibility performance of six Macau gaming companies from 2023 to 2024. This research provides data support for addressing Macau society’s concerns about gaming companies' social responsibility performance and for enhancing the government’s oversight of gaming companies in this regard.

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Abstract： The gambling counseling hotline is a remote intervention method to reduce problem gambling. Despite studies continuing to focus on the profile of hotline callers, very little is known about the characteristics of callers from Macao. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of gamblers and CSOs callers from the Macao helpline. The study used data collected from the 24- hour gambling counseling hotline and online counseling services between 2015 and 2021 to examine their demographics, helpline usage, and gambling - related characteristics. The results showed that most of the gamblers are male and unmarried, while the CSOs are mostly female and married, both being younger groups. Most of them have full- time jobs. The majority of callers used telephone and reported problem related to casino table games. In addition, the significant differences between gamblers and CSOs regarding gambling-related characteristics shed light on how helplines should develop targeted interventions and preventive measures according to the needs of different caller groups to better support gamblers and CSOs affected by problem gambling.

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Abstract：At the end of 2019, the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic (hereinafter referred to as the “epidemic”) broke out and quickly spread around the world, causing a huge negative impact on the economy of Macau, with the gaming industry being hit particularly hard. During this period, the previous gaming license in Macau was also terminated in 2022. Under the new gaming concession framework, the operations and investments of gaming license holders in Macau are undergoing significant changes, resulting in financial performance that is different from the past and is expected to have an impact on the SAR’s economy and livelihoods. In the context of the post-epidemic era, gaming industry in Macau is showing signs of recovery. This study explores the impact of new gaming concession on the main financial indicators of the gaming resort industry from an accounting perspective, including gross gaming revenue, VIP room business revenue, commission-related expenses, revenue and income of non-gaming sectors, with the hope of providing a reference for industry operators and regulators. Additionally, this paper employs event study methodology to conduct a quantitative analysis of the spillover effects on Macau's gaming industry resulting from the mainland's recent crackdown on cross-border gambling.

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Abstract：Studies have shown that regular Mahjong/Chess & Card Games participation in older adults has significant effects on improving cognition and reducing depression, but prospective evidence for this association is limited. This study used data from the prospective cohort study of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2020 (CLHLS 2020) and included 1,696 adults aged 60 or older. The independent sample T-test, one-way ANOVA and the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test were used to analyze the effects of Mahjong/Chess & Card Games activities and participation frequency on physical and mental health. Results: Mahjong/Chess & Card Games participation was significantly associated with lower depression levels in elderlies (P=0.001), with participants who engaged in such activities at least once a week exhibit the lowest levels of depression (P=0.014). Although the difference in cognitive function and life satisfaction related to participation in Mahjong/Chess & Card Games did not achieve statistical significance (P>0.05), the results showed ‘an inverted U-shaped’ trend in cognitive changes and a tendency for life satisfaction to increase with participation frequency, suggesting that moderate and regular participation in Mahjong/Chess & Card Games may have a positive impact on the psychological health and subjective well-being of elderly individuals.

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Abstract：To investigate the lottery-purchasing health levels, group characteristics, and individual influencing factors among sports lottery players, a survey was conducted on 611 sports lottery players using the Lottery-Purchasing Health Assessment Questionnaire, Financial Self-Concept Questionnaire, Responsible Lottery Purchasing Questionnaire, Lottery-Purchasing Passion Questionnaire, and Lottery Self- Management Questionnaire. The results revealed that: Firstly, sports lottery players perceive higher scores in the benefits than in the harms of lottery purchase. There are significant differences in scores among various dimensions of perceived benefits, with relatively higher scores in the dimensions of rational control and public welfare feelings. In contrast, the scores of various dimensions of perceived harms are relatively balanced. Secondly, sports lottery players aged 30 ~ 44, with 2 ~ 3 years of lottery purchasing experience and spending 30 minutes or more on lottery purchase per day are more likely to perceive the harms of lottery purchase. Sports lottery players aged 45 ~ 59 are more likely to perceive the benefit of public welfare feelings than those under 30. Sports lottery players with 2 ~ 3 years of lottery purchasing experience are more likely to perceive the benefit of economic returns than those with 7 ~ 10 years of experience. Sports lottery players who spend 30 minutes or more on lottery purchase per day are more likely to perceive multiple benefits such as economic returns, interpersonal relationships, and public welfare feelings. Thirdly, responsible lottery purchase beliefs have a negative predictive effect on the perception of lottery purchase harms and the benefit of economic returns, while having a positive predictive effect on the perception of the benefits of rational control and public welfare feelings. Responsible lottery purchase behavior has a positive predictive effect on the perception of interpersonal relationship benefits. Harmonious passion has a positive predictive effect on the perception of lottery purchase benefits, while compulsive passion has a positive predictive effect on the perception of lottery purchase harms. Lottery purchase self-management has a positive predictive effect on both the perception of lottery purchase benefits and harms. Financial self-concept has a negative predictive effect on the perception of interpersonal relationship benefits and public welfare feelings benefits. From the binary perspective of lottery-purchasing health that differentiates between benefits and harms, the findings of this study partially reveal the overall characteristics and levels of sports lottery players’ perception of lottery-purchasing health. These results provide valuable insights for the development of targeted strategies to promote lottery-purchasing health and the construction of responsible lottery frameworks.

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Abstract： The process of legalization of Thai casinos is still in an uncertain state. It is of great significance for Macao’s gambling industry to understand the driving force and resistance in the process of legalization of Thai casinos to judge the future development trend of Thailand and formulate countermeasures accordingly. This study captures public opinion data on Thailand’s local network platform through Python’s public opinion collection system. Through the analysis of public opinion data, it understands the attitudes of different groups in Thai society towards casino legalization. Combined with the improved retail gravity model, this paper discusses the investment opportunities in different regions. The results show that demand for economic recovery, maintenance of political image and pressure of regional competition are all driving forces to promote the development of policies, whereas religious culture, political game risks and international ties are the sources of power to hinder the progress. The retail gravity model analysis found that Bangkok has the highest comprehensive attraction. The paper suggests that the government should gradually promote and coordinate diversified investors, implement differentiated regional layout, and invest in different stages. The analysis given in this study is helpful to the formulation of Thai casino policies and investors’ investment decisions. In addition, the interdisciplinary analysis of research methods can be used in other emerging markets.

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Abstract： This study analyzes the perceptions of destination image related to educational tourism in Macau based on user-generated content from Xiaohongshu and Weibo. The findings indicate that Macau's educational tourism attracts visitors’ attention, particularly in terms of the “location” and “knowledge” dimensions, highlighting the region’s educational resources, cultural atmosphere, and unique historical background. Although visitors have a generally positive evaluation of Macau, issues such as fatigue during the educational experience and the organization of activities have been raised as significant concerns by some tourists. Notable differences exist between the two platforms: Weibo emphasizes macro-level growth narratives, while Xiaohongshu focuses on everyday documentation and social interaction. Based on these findings, the study proposes four main recommendations: enhancing the “research” value of Macau’s educational tourism resources, deepening the destination image of Macau in this context, facilitating effective connections between projects, and fostering co-creation participation among tourists.

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Abstract： Wellness tourism, as an emerging industry, has huge market potential and broad development prospects in China. A significant number of individuals aim to fulfill their dual demands for wellness and leisure through this form of tourism. This study takes Hainan as an example and uses online selfadministered survey to analyze the consumption behavior of wellness tourists and explore the factors that influence their travel intentions for wellness tourism in Hainan. The result shows that perceived behavioral control (PBC), subjective norm (SN), perception of a tourist destination (PER), past behavior (PB), and wellness lifestyle (LIFE) are significantly related to the behavioral intention of wellness tourism (INT). PER is discovered to serve as a significant mediating variable in the formation mechanism of wellness tourism travel intention (INT). Additionally, the study reveals that wellness lifestyle significantly moderates the relationship between subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and travel intention (INT). The findings contribute to understanding the decisionmaking mechanisms underlying wellness tourism consumption and offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders to develop the wellness tourism market.

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