Youth gambling in Singapore triggers help programmes

dpa German Press Agency Published: Thursday February 15, 2007

Singapore- Gambling among youths in Singapore is triggering programmes aimed at curbing the trend by raising awareness of the pitfalls, concerned organizations said Friday. While global research shows that young people are up to four times more likely than adults to become problem gamblers, The Straits Times said that the latest survey in the city-state indicated that nearly half of all gamblers started between the ages of 18 and 24.

"These days, even those in their preteens demonstrate risk behaviours, saying things like, 'I bet with you,'" senior counsellor Lisa Goh was quoted as saying.

The lure of wagering is evident when secondary-school students are seen gambling on housing block decks.

A Handling Underaged Gambling programme targeted at those between ages 10 and 17 has been started in six schools, reaching out to more than 2,000 students.

"We want to stress that gambling involves not just money but valuables too," Goh told the newspaper. "We need to make youth aware of its serious consequences and how it can become a threat to family life."

With Singapore's first casinos scheduled to open in 2009 and 2010, Goh stressed the timeliness of boosting awareness among impressionable youths.

Entrance to the casinos will be limited to those over 21, but the excitement surrounding them has prompted some youngsters to learn the popular casino games years beforehand.

The Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, which runs a gambling hotline, told the newspaper that 35 per cent of callers are soccer gamblers.

The National Council on Problem Gambling is supporting two initiatives aimed at youth, starting next month.

One is a roadshow, complete with mobile exhibits and interactive educational games. The other screens a film depicting gambling issues and encourages youth to discuss the problems raised.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency