Media Coverage of Large Lottery Wins and Managing Problem Gambling
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song’s inquiry on whether the government regulates news reporting of large lottery wins to prevent sensationalism and mitigate the social harms of problem gambling. Minister for Digital Development and Information Mrs Josephine Teo clarified that news organisations exercise editorial discretion within legal limits and content codes that forbid broadcast programmes from normalising or encouraging gambling. She explained that the Gambling Regulatory Authority permits Singapore Pools to publish specific jackpot details for transparency while strictly vetting all gambling advertisements to ensure they do not excessively induce betting. Additionally, the Ministry of Social and Family Development maintains safeguards such as prohibiting betting on credit, complemented by public education campaigns conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling. The Minister concluded that both the Gambling Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Social and Family Development will continue monitoring the gambling landscape and reviewing social safeguards as required.
Transcript
44 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Ministry regulates news reporting of large lottery wins to avoid sensationalism and curb the promotion of gambling; (b) if not, how the Ministry reconciles such reporting with the existing framework to minimise problem gambling; and (c) whether the Government has conducted any cost-benefit analysis on the social harm from such reporting against any public interest benefit from the news.
Mrs Josephine Teo: News organisations exercise editorial judgement and discretion when deciding which issues are of interest to their readers, as long as their reporting remains responsible, accurate and within the bounds of the law and applicable content codes. Content on linear television channels and radio must follow content codes that prevent programmes from normalising or encouraging gambling, or providing gambling tips. Members of the public would also give their feedback on the news coverage directly to the relevant news organisations.
For each TOTO draw, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) allows Singapore Pools to publish on its website the jackpot size, the number of winners and where the jackpot winners had purchased their tickets. This ensures transparency in TOTO draw results.
In addition, GRA regulates gambling advertisements to address the social harms associated with lottery gambling. Singapore Pools is required to seek GRA's approval for every gambling advertisement it intends to publish. In making its decision, GRA will consider whether the content may excessively induce gambling or provide misleading information on the probability of winning.
Besides regulating advertising and promotion, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has put in place other social safeguards to mitigate the social harms of gambling, such as prohibiting betting on credit. The National Council on Problem Gambling also conducts regular public education media campaigns and outreach during peak gambling periods, such as Chinese New Year.
GRA and MSF will continue to monitor the lottery gambling situation and review our social safeguards as necessary.