SINGAPORE POOLS (PTE) LTD (4-D agents)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many 4-D agents of the Singapore Pools (Pte) Limited there are to date; (b) whether these agents were appointed on the basis of each constituency having at least one; and (c) what was the revenue collected by the Singapore Pools (Pte) Limited from these agents in 1987.

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, to date, Singapore Pools has appointed 150 agents, of which 147 are already operating and three will commence business next month.

The 150 agents are spread over 61 constituencies. Generally, agents are located close to previous Toto booths or in HDB town centres or shopping centres. Agents are not appointed on the basis that each constituency should have at least one agent.

The total gross sales for Singapore Pools in 1987 was $432 million and the net surplus after expenditure on prizes, betting duties, commission, etc, accruing to Singapore Pools was $32 million.