Talkabout – Gambling in Singapore (Part 1) : Introduction

For decades Singapore firmly resisted casino gambling with Lee Kuan Yew famously saying casinos would only be allowed ‘over my dead body,’ But in 2005, despite vigorous public debate, the 40 year old ban on casino gambling was finally lifted. Financially it’s been a jackpot for Singapore. Last year the two casinos grossed a staggering US$6.077 billion and within less than four years tourism jumped by 50 percent to 14.4 million.  But while the economics may be compelling the toll on society isn’t such a rosy picture. .
Even before the introduction of the casinos Singaporeans already had the reputation as world class gamblers having been ranked the second biggest in the world since 2002.  And within just one year of the casinos opening 7 out of 10 gamblers were blaming their addiction on the integrated resorts. The problem is getting worse with some counsellors reporting a 50 per cent increase in people seeking help. This is also partly due to the rise of online gambling which is ubiquitous, accessible and very addictive. Surveys show that online gamblers fare the worst among all gamblers in exercising self –control. It’s risky business. No matter where you are you can bet on-line. It’s a gambling revolution that’s estimated in Singapore to be worth about $US300 million. There are plenty of salutary tales about the way on-line gambling can wreck lives. It’s so highly addictive it’s been called the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling. Here in Singapore it remains an unregulated industry as the current laws were drafted before the internet age. The government does have plans to regulate but how do you control a business that you can’t touch, that can operate anywhere? And can regulators make gambling safer? Well to take a cold hard look at the facts and the true cost of gambling to Singapore we have a cross section of people on Talkabout to discuss the issue including lawyers, counsellors, academics and a reformed addict.
Host: Kenneth Liang
Speakers : Mabel Chou, Dr. Munidasa Winslow, Dick Lum, Suzann Sing, Yap Wai Ming, Billy Lee, S. Suresh, Bryan Tan
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