China’s first rehab centre for gamblers helps addicts escape from the ‘virus’ of online betting
- Offshore websites and apps – up to 70 per cent of them based in Philippines – entice mainland Chinese into gambling, tearing families apart
- China’s first rehab centre dedicated to gambling addiction helps punters swear off their bankrupting habit
Holding a fist up next to his head like a soldier, Huang Chunhao makes a solemn vow. “I hereby swear an oath: from today onwards, I will correct bad habits, be kind to others and try my best to get rid of gambling addiction.”
Gambling was outlawed in mainland China along with other activities deemed vices by the Communist Party when it took over in 1949, but is making a comeback via websites and apps aimed at Chinese customers and based offshore.
Helping him climb out of this hole is Si Guoqi, a former hair salon owner and self-proclaimed gambling expert who has been helping addicts for years and now operates a Shanghai rehabilitation centre.
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Gambling detox in China: gamblers escaping the grip of addiction
Established in 2017, it has been billed as the country’s first rehab solely dedicated to gambling addiction. During the standard week-long programme, participants are given an old mobile phone without internet access to prevent them from logging on and placing bets.