By Janice Tai And Lim Yi Han, The Straits Times, 6 Feb 2015
That is because their proportion has plunged to just 0.7 per cent of the population, a national gambling survey carried out every three years has found. This translates to about 20,000 people among those aged 18 and above.
This is the lowest figure since the first poll in 2005, when the figure was 4.1 per cent. It fell to 2.9 per cent in 2008 and further to 2.6 per cent in 2011.
On the other hand, those who are hooked are starting younger and gambling harder than before, the survey found.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) released the findings of the poll of 3,000 Singapore residents aged 18 and above yesterday.
Some counsellors found the drop in the number of hardcore gamblers surprising as more people are seeking help on the ground.
"It could mean people know where to go for help now and the problem is being nipped in the bud," said Ms Jolene Ong, who chairs The Silver Lining, which runs gambling rehabilitation schemes.
Social safeguards that deter citizens from frequenting the casinos may also have played a part in bringing the number down.
On the other hand, the survey may not have captured those who gamble illegally, said Ms Deborah Queck, manager of Blessed Grace Social Services, which runs a recovery centre for gamblers.
The NCPG said gambling addicts remain a concern as more are gambling more frequently and starting to gamble at a younger age.
Among the more severely addicted, 83 per cent gambled at least once a week, up from 68 per cent in 2011. Most report strained family relations as a result.
"They seem to be gambling with greater intensity and less self-control, harming themselves and their families," noted Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing, saying the NCPG will focus on this group.
As nearly one in six gambling addicts picks up the habit before the age of 18, the NCPG will expand its youth outreach programmes to teach young people to prevent, identify and deal with gambling addiction.
A 30-year-old engineer said counselling is helping him to beat his 10-year online betting habit, which saw him rack up $400,000 in debt.
A 30-year-old engineer said counselling is helping him to beat his 10-year online betting habit, which saw him rack up $400,000 in debt.
He said: "I lost friends and broke up with my girlfriend. Seeking help really changed things."
Concern over number of young gamblers
Early exposure to free online social gambling games fuels addiction
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 7 Feb 2015
Early exposure to free online social gambling games fuels addiction
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 7 Feb 2015
ONE started playing slot machine games on his cellphone when he was eight years old after overhearing his parents gushing about their weekend casino exploits.
Another, a 15-year-old, found himself owing classmates $500 - six months' worth of pocket money - after getting hooked on online soccer betting.
Youth gamblers like these two have attracted concern after a recently released survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) found more addicts are starting young.
Nearly one in six hardcore addicts who have a flutter at least once a week did so before they turned 18, said the survey. In 2011, this was 5 per cent.
Experts say more attention should be paid to youth who gamble as studies show they are up to four times more likely than adults to become addicted.
A 2011 study published in the Singapore Medical Journal, for example, found a third of problem gamblers who sought treatment at a hospital were exposed to gambling before they were 18.
Counsellors and specialists say gambling addicts are getting younger as social norms shift.
"As we become a more affluent society, children feel the lure of growing their allowance through bets, and parents have the means to bail them out when they chalk up debts," said Mr Dick Lum, executive director of One Hope Centre, a voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) which counsels gamblers.
"They would rather help clear the debts to keep it hush hush, as the stigma of gambling debts may reflect badly on their parenting skills," he said.
Also, social attitudes towards games of chance have changed. About one in five gamblers polled saw sports betting and jackpot machines as "leisure activities".
"These are no longer considered taboo but discussed openly and the media, such as ESPN poker tournaments, normalises and glamorises gambling," said consultant psychiatrist Thomas Lee from the Resilienz Clinic, which deals with mental health.
The growing popularity of free online social gambling games such as casino game Slotomania was another factor.
NCPG chairman Lim Hock San said early exposure to such games makes youth vulnerable to becoming addicted to gambling, especially online gambling.
While one need not use real currency to play Slotomania, other online games allow players to buy virtual currency with real money so as to get mystery gifts to advance in the game, for instance.
"Such games are increasing the tendency of youth to try out online gambling later and we have been fielding 30 per cent more enquiries about online gambling in the past year," said Mr Chong Ee Jay, assistant manager at Touch Cyber Wellness.
Last year, the VWO worked with NCPG to include, in its school cyber wellness talks, a section on the gambling elements of gaming and social media.
NCPG said it will expand its youth outreach programmes to teach youth to identify and deal with gambling addiction.
But all these will remain "head knowledge" if the young do not own up to having a problem, said Mr Lum.
He suggested that family members do not pay off their children's gambling loans, unless the situation is dire. "Once these hot-blooded youth get burnt from playing with fire, hopefully they will realise its severity sooner rather than later."
No comments:
Post a Comment