Safeguards on Gambling at Casinos

Parliament of Singapore · 21 October 2011

Official Report, 21 October 2011, Vol 88, Issue 6 · Open in the reader (summaries, search, filters)

Mr David Ong asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) whether the present safeguards on gambling at casinos are adequate for Singaporeans; (b) what is the number of foreign workers (including domestic helpers) gambling in casinos to date; and (c) whether there are any measures for employers to exercise exclusion orders for their foreign employees working in Singapore.

MG [NS] Chan Chun Sing: Since the opening of the casinos, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package of social safeguards to minimise the ills of casino gambling. These include the casino entry levies, entry ban for minors below 21 years old, credit restrictions for local casino patrons, casino exclusions and strict regulations on casino advertising and promotions to the domestic market.

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The casinos have previously informed the media that tourists and other foreigners make up two thirds of casino visitors. They do not track foreign workers visitorship separately from tourists.

To minimise the ills of casino gambling on foreign workers, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has in place employer facilitated self-exclusion which allows employers to facilitate the applications for foreign workers wanting to voluntarily exclude themselves from the local casinos. Employers of foreign workers can do so via the NCPG website or in hardcopy by hand or by registered mail.

Foreign workers may also apply for exclusion in person at the NCPG office or the Migrant Workers Centre, or complete the application form from the website and mail it to the NCPG office.

As at 30 September 2011, 22,700 self-exclusions by foreigners are in force. My Ministry will continue to monitor the efficacy of existing social safeguards. We are prepared to strengthen them if necessary.