Singapore to crack down on gambling anew?

Possibility is raised as a new study cites "emerging concerns" on casino gambling participation.

More Singaporean residents from low-income groups are getting deeper into gambling, according to the latest report from the National Council on Problem Gambling released February 23.

As a response the government may respond with stricter gambling oversight in the form of wide casino exclusions across the said groups, said the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in a release.

“The survey findings from the NCPG’s 2011 Survey on participation in gambling activities among Singapore Residents showed that the overall gambling participation and probable pathological and problem gambling rates remained stable. But we should never be complacent. The Survey highlights emerging concerns including more heavy gambling among a small group of low-income gamblers, frequent gamblers, and poorer self-control among online, horse racing and casino gamblers," said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Chan Chun Sing.

"MCYS will look into measures to address these concerns. We will consider expanding third-party casino exclusions to cover more groups of Singaporeans who are receiving financial assistance, beyond Public Assistance recipients and bankrupts. We are also studying circuit breakers to address locals with poor self control and at risk of financial and other harms due to gambling. Casinos in Holland, Austria and Australia have measures which we intend to study," said the MCYS in a release.

"We will continue to closely monitor gambling in Singapore. We are prepared to strengthen social safeguards as necessary," it added.

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