Social Problems Created by Gambling

As you requested on August 2012, our report outlines the findings into how to minimize social problems arising from gambling.

Since casino started operations, casino-related crimes have been occurring on average once a month. The more worrying trends are the increasing number of addicts and regression of their age. It has been reported that more youths 18 – 21 are seeking help for their addictions. (Channelnewsasia.com, February 8, 2012)Firstly we delve through news sites to define crimes that are considered casino related. Secondly, we scrutinize the Casino Control Act (CCA) and identified a number acts designed to curb social problems arising from gambling.

Casino related crime comprise only 1% of all crimes due to vigilance of casino operators and cooperation with the police. Casino-Related crimes are defined as crimes occurring in and around the casino. Majority of the crimes committed are thefts of chips, attempting to cheat or cheating and impersonating another person to gain entry to the casino (Crime Statistics, October 3, 2011).The Casino Regulatory Authority was established to enforce the CCA and National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was formed subsequently to address the problem caused by gambling and educating the public on the downside of gambling. Social safeguards were catered to protect the young and prevent families from disintegrating. 1.

Entry LevyAn entry fee of $100 daily or $2000 yearly will be levied on locals to serve as deterrence as patrons would have already lost $100 even before gambling. Casino operators will be fined for failing to enforce the levy or reimbursing patrons. Resort World Sentosa (RWS) was fined $600,000 and three of its employees charged for circumventing the CCA by providing free theme park tickets for patrons(Channelnewasia.com, September 12, 2012).2.

Minimum AgeCasinos patrons are required to be above the age of 21 to prevent minors from entering the casino.3. No extending of credits to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents Junkets are prohibited from operating in the casino and Casinos are prohibited to extend credits unless they are premium players defined as patrons who maintain a deposits with credit balanced not less than $100,000 before commencement of play.4. No Automated Tellers Machine(ATM) ATMs will be prohibited in the casinos. This ensures patrons gamble within their cash limits.

5. NCPG NCPG formed an international advisory panel seeking foreign expertise in developing research and services to identify and control problem gambling. One outlet of educating the public is through developing dramas highlighting the woes of gambling.6. Exclusion Orders NCPG can make, vary and revoke casino exclusion order banning locals from entering the casino from three orders; voluntary, third-party and family exclusion. Two of these orders (Family and Third-Party exclusions) are crucial aspect of social safeguarding preventing addicts from disintegrating families and ensuring receivers of alms does not squander their money.

7. Advertisements on Casino Casino operators are forbidden from advertising the casinos and gambling to local population. RWS was slapped with a hefty fine when they painted bus with casino logos and offers free ferry services to the casino.Proposals were gathered from the public (Reach, August 17, 2012).

Based on the feedback, we propose amendments to the CCA that will help minimize social problems.1. Casino Visit Limit System We propose to limit the frequency of casino visits for Financial Vulnerable (FVs). This should not be limited to low-income workers; NCPG will assess individuals based on his ability to service debts and extent of his gambling habits. This is a moderate measure in controlling FV’s gambling addiction.

This might cause respondents to instead double their bet in a visit causing more damage; however the NCPG can still review individuals and place them under casino exclusion instead.2. Amendments to Casino Exclusion We suggest allowing issuance of Family Exclusion Order even if respondent is absent. A mandatory assessment and counseling should be conducted before allowing their orders to be revoked. By simplifying and accelerating the process of applying an order so we can prevent respondent from incurring bigger debts.

We suggest allowing applicants to just have the same address as the respondent instead of obtaining their Identification Number. We propose that fingerprints scanning be used on all locals visiting the casinos to prevent impersonators trying to circumvent the exclusion order.3. Responsible Gambling and Personal Responsibility Casino’s employees should be trained to spot at-risk gamblers and advise them to seek help.

We recommend screening mandatory videos to appeal to patrons their ‘real’ responsibility and to gamble within their limit before entering the casino.4. Increasing Entry Levy By increasing the entry levy to $200, we will discourage youth as they have less spending power from visiting the casino. This will cause uproar with current patrons; however this will cause youths and current patrons to have second thoughts before going to the casino.5.

Increase minimum age of patrons We suggest increasing the minimum age of local patrons from 21 to 25. Majority of this age group are studying or just entered the workforce as such income will be lower. By upping the barrier young adults will be more resistant to gambling addiction.Singapore has one of the strictest casino rules in the world reflected by the low number of casino-related crime.

We should however continue to be vigilant in deterring casino related crime.Protecting the youths and families from gambling should be our utmost priority. We should proactively seeks out these problems and ensure they do not overwhelm society. While proper framework is provided, more emphasis can be placed on personal responsibility and gamblers should constantly be reminded of their responsibility. By implementing stronger measures ensuring casinos does not circumvent the act, increasing minimum age of patrons and holding discussion between NCPG and casinos to implement measures that helps in educating the public on the consequence of gambling and their personal responsibility.