Adequacy of Programmes to Guard against Problem Gambling
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Murali Pillai’s inquiry regarding the statistics on Casino Exclusion Orders and the adequacy of existing measures to combat problem gambling. Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee reported that as of late 2017, approximately 24,000 residents were under voluntary exclusion, 2,200 under family orders, and 44,000 under automatic exclusion. He highlighted social safeguards such as entry levies and visit limits, which helped maintain a low pathological gambling rate of 0.7% in 2014. Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee affirmed that the government monitors these safeguards and works with community partners to tackle addiction. The Ministry will adjust policies, including the casino entry levy, as necessary to ensure continued protection for Singaporeans from gambling-related social ills.
Transcript
61 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what the number of Singaporeans who have been subject to Casino Exclusion Orders over the past five years is; (b) whether programmes in place to guard against problem gambling are adequate; and (c) whether the Ministry intends to increase the casino entry levy of $100 for Singaporeans.
Mr Desmond Lee: There are three types of Casino Exclusion, namely, (a) Voluntary Self-Exclusion, (b) Family Exclusion, and (c) Automatic Exclusion for Singapore residents who are bankrupts, receiving financial assistance from the Government, receiving legal aid, or residing in Housing and Development Board rental flats with rental arrears. As at 31 December 2017, approximately 24,000 Singapore residents are under Voluntary Self-Exclusion. Some 2,200 had Family Exclusion Orders and 44,000 had Automatic Exclusion Orders imposed on them. These numbers have remained stable over the last five years.
We have put in place a robust and comprehensive set of social safeguards to combat problem gambling. This includes casino entry levies, exclusion and visit limits, not permitting credit for Singapore residents who are not premium players, age restrictions, as well as advertising and promotions restrictions. Additionally, there are ongoing public education programmes to raise awareness of gambling disorders.
The various social safeguards have helped to minimise the social ills of casino gambling. The latest published Gambling Participation Survey in 2014 showed that the overall probable pathological and problem gambling rates among Singapore residents was 0.7%. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these social safeguards, work closely with our community partners who are helping to tackle gambling addiction, and make changes when necessary.