Singapores Approach to Addressing Problem Gambling

1
Singapores Approach to Addressing Problem
Gambling

• Singapore Problem Gambling Conference 2007
• 5 July 2007

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Key Guiding Principles of Gambling Regulation

• Gambling is legal in Singapore to
• Minimise illegal gambling
• Stem Revenue leakage
• Main Concern
• Social impact, particularly with problem gambling

3
Overview of Gambling in Spore

• Singaporeans spend 6b /yr on legalised gambling
  est. 1.5b on cruises/offshore casinos
• Legal Operators
• Singapore Pools Lotteries (Toto, 4D, Sweep),
  Soccer betting
• Singapore Turf Club horse racing
• Private Clubs Jackpot machines
• Integrated Resorts ( 2009/10) Casino table
  games, Jackpots
• Various illegal operators, online gambling

4
MCYS Survey (2004/05)
2,004 randomly selected respondents
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Key Findings from MCYS Survey 2004/5
Gambling is Prevalent 58 of Singapore residents
participated in at least one form of gambling
activity over the past 12 months
Majority OK, Minority may have problem
2.1 are probable pathological gamblers
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Key Findings from MCYS Survey 2004/5

• Groups with relatively higher gambling
  participation
• Chinese (68)
• Aged 30 to 49 years (63-69)
• With post-secondary education (66-67)
• With monthly incomes of 2,000 or more (70-74).

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Key Findings from MCYS Survey

• Groups with relatively higher prevalence of
  probable pathological gambling
• Males (3.1)
• Ethnic Chinese (2.7) versus lt0.5 for Malays
  and Indians
• Those aged 30 to 49 years (3.3 - 4.3)
• Those with A level/polytechnic and below
  education (2.3 - 3.2)
• Those earning 2,000 or more (4.2 - 5.9).

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Those At Risk Bet More and Gamble More Often
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Those At Risk Start Gambling Younger
Refers to regular gamblers (at least once a
week) figures may not add up to 100 due to
rounding off
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National Framework to Address Problem Gambling
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MCYS Key Strategies
Increase Awareness of Problem Gambling and Help
Services
1
Develop Support Services for Problem Gamblers and
Families
2
Develop Social Safeguards For Gambling
3
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National Council on Problem Gambling
Working with the community to reduce the impact
of problem gambling on individuals, families and
society.

• Established Aug 2005
• Terms of Reference
• To provide advice and feedback to MCYS on public
  education programmes to promote public awareness
  on problem gambling.
• To decide on funding applications for preventive
  and rehabilitative programmes.
• To assess and advise the Government on the
  effectiveness of treatment, counselling and
  rehabilitative programmes.
• To decide on the applications for exclusion of
  persons from casinos.

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Public Education

• Work in collaboration with NCPG to promote
  awareness of problem gambling and available help
  services.

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Support Services and Treatment

• 3 tiered model to provide help to problem
  gamblers families

• Other social service agencies
• Info Referral
• Other social services (e.g. employment/financial
  assistance, credit counselling, etc.)

Referral of clients resistant to NAMC
Link to services
Community-based Intervention Services 2 pilot
centres
Referral of clients for diagnosis
Referral of PPGs
Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP)
Escalation of PPGs
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Support Services and Treatment
Tertiary - Community Addictions Management
Programme (CAMP), Institute of Mental Health

• Severe pathological gamblers (multiple relapses)
• Other addictions in addition to gambling
• Psychiatric co-morbidities (depression, suicidal)
• Helpline for General Addictions

Other social service agencies
Community-based Intervention Services 2 pilot
centres
CAMP
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Support Services and Treatment
Community-based Counselling Centres (Thye Hua
Kwan Moral Society Care Corner Counselling
Centre)

• Began operations in Sep 06
• Specialised services for PGs families
• Casework Counselling
• Relapse Prevention/Stepdown care
• Support Groups

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Support Services and Treatment

• Ancillary (Other Social Service Agencies)
• 36 Family Service Centres and 5 Community
  Development Councils, other community agencies,
  school counsellors
• Referral Protocol
• Identify refer probable problem
  gamblers/families
• Motivational brief intervention skills to
  encourage help-seeking
• Link with CAMP/Pilot Centres to provide support
  services
• Training for social service professionals

Other social service agencies
Community-based Intervention Services 2 pilot
centres
CAMP
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Research

• Ongoing studies on
• Gambling participation, prevalence of problem
  gambling ( every 3 yrs)
• Attitudes and Awareness of Problem Gambling
  (yearly) with NCPG

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Social Safeguards

• Stringent Social Safeguards for Casinos
• Entry Levy for locals (100/day, 2000/yr)
• Exclusion measures (Self, family, third party)
• Restrictions on credit for locals
• Ban on ATMs on gaming floor
• Advertising restrictions
• Required display of information, and staff
  training on problem gambling
• System for loss limits

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Responsible Gambling

• Provide inputs to NCPG on development and
  implementation of the Responsible Gambling Code
  of Practice
• Partnering NCPG in engaging operators on
  responsible gambling practices

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Moving Forward

• Putting in place exclusion measures and social
  safeguards
• Evaluate and enhance service delivery and public
  education programmes
• Effective, evidence-based
• Partnering and supporting NCPG in its roles

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Thank you