Abstract
The Macau economy and employment of residents rely heavily on the gaming industry. It is important that the working conditions
in casinos are not harmful to the health of the casino employees. This study examines the correlations between work conditions,
unhealthy lifestyles and occupational health problems amongst casino croupiers in Macau. Its findings will provide casino
managers and policy makers with evidence and awareness of the workplace health risks for the casino workers. The data were
gathered by a questionnaire survey of 1,042 croupiers, which represents roughly 5 % of the croupier population in Macau. Work
conditions were measured by worker satisfaction towards the biological, chemical and physical elements in their work environments.
Unhealthy lifestyles were measured by practices of excessive drinking, smoking, electronic game playing and addictive substance
use as well as gambling. Occupational health problems were measured by experiences of work related illnesses or symptoms.
Results showed that high percentages of respondents were dissatisfied with the work conditions. On average each croupier experienced
10 work related health problems in the past 7 days. Over 5 % of the respondents drank more than three glasses of alcohol a
day, 24 % smoked cigarettes, 12 % took addictive substances, 14 % gambled in the past 7 days. The analysis showed that dissatisfaction
with work conditions did not correlate with unhealthy lifestyles but were strongly and significantly correlated with stress-related
occupational health problems (R = 0.377–0.479, P < 0.001) and other occupational health problems (R = 0.348–0.461, P < 0.001). Casino workers in Macau experience a variety of problems associated with their work conditions that can be hazardous
to their health. The working conditions in casinos need to be regularly monitored and improvements such as occupational health
training and enhanced health related policies can be introduced.
in casinos are not harmful to the health of the casino employees. This study examines the correlations between work conditions,
unhealthy lifestyles and occupational health problems amongst casino croupiers in Macau. Its findings will provide casino
managers and policy makers with evidence and awareness of the workplace health risks for the casino workers. The data were
gathered by a questionnaire survey of 1,042 croupiers, which represents roughly 5 % of the croupier population in Macau. Work
conditions were measured by worker satisfaction towards the biological, chemical and physical elements in their work environments.
Unhealthy lifestyles were measured by practices of excessive drinking, smoking, electronic game playing and addictive substance
use as well as gambling. Occupational health problems were measured by experiences of work related illnesses or symptoms.
Results showed that high percentages of respondents were dissatisfied with the work conditions. On average each croupier experienced
10 work related health problems in the past 7 days. Over 5 % of the respondents drank more than three glasses of alcohol a
day, 24 % smoked cigarettes, 12 % took addictive substances, 14 % gambled in the past 7 days. The analysis showed that dissatisfaction
with work conditions did not correlate with unhealthy lifestyles but were strongly and significantly correlated with stress-related
occupational health problems (R = 0.377–0.479, P < 0.001) and other occupational health problems (R = 0.348–0.461, P < 0.001). Casino workers in Macau experience a variety of problems associated with their work conditions that can be hazardous
to their health. The working conditions in casinos need to be regularly monitored and improvements such as occupational health
training and enhanced health related policies can be introduced.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9301-5
- Authors
- Sydney X. Hu, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
- Andrew Luk, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
- Carmen Leong, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
- Cecilia U, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
- Florence Van, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350