GOVERNMENT-APPROVED GAMBLING ACTIVITIES (Cutting down)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Finance whether he will cut down Government-approved gambling activities comprising two draws per week for Toto and 4-D, race days on Saturdays and Sundays and the monthly Big Sweep.

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, in any society, there will always be people with the propensity to gamble. Ordinarily, most of the money will end up in the pockets of illegal gambling operators. Legal gaming facilities provide an alternative to these illegal operators, and serve to control illegal gambling in Singapore. The proceeds from legal gambling can be channelled towards educational, social and other charitable causes.

The number of draws for Toto, 4-D and Big Sweep has not increased since their inception in the 1960s. Horse racing has also been conducted on Saturdays and Sundays since the mid-1960s. I believe the present level of these forms of gaming is not excessive. For instance, instances of cheating have not occurred. Any reduction in the frequency of these activities will only drive punters back to the illegal operators.

If the hon. Member will give cogent reasons why these forms of gambling should be scaled down, I shall be glad to give him a hearing.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, I believe the Government is against gambling. We have got heavy fines imposed on gamblers. Seventeen times a month is more than 50% of the days in a month where gambling activities are condoned or approved by the Government. The first question is: Does the Government not think that this number is in fact too large? Second, as a form of curbing gambling, will the Government carry out a campaign to tell the people that we should not make Singapore a gambling society and perhaps find ways and means to curb gambling?

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: I have said earlier that we do not think the number of gambling occasions is too large. As to the second question, I think it is well known that we are against gambling, but since we accept the fact that human beings are likely to gamble, providing a form of legal gambling at least ensures that the bulk of the proceeds of gambling will be drawn back into the Government system through betting duties which then go to the Consolidated Fund as part of Government revenue together with contributions to charities. I think the education programme is something which we can consider but I do not think it is realistic to expect any campaign to wipe out gambling altogether, certainly not amongst the Eastern people.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Of course, I do not agree with the Minister that 17 times of gambling a month approved by the Government is not excessive. To me, it is excessive. On top of these 17 days, in fact, people are also gambling in the stock market.

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Chiam, could you ask your questions?

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, my question has not really been answered. Is the Government making any attempts at all to cut the number of days of gambling?

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: I said that we do not think it is excessive. So that should be the answer. It is a matter of opinion and judgment.