Problem gambling pushed underground amid Covid-19 circuit breaker

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With nowhere to go given the Covid-19 circuit breaker, most residents in the quiet Boon Lay neighbourhood had settled in for the night. But one resident and his friends invited some strangers – including The Straits Times – to a “friendly game” of Pok Deng, a Thai card game, at what looked to be a two-room flat last month.

Posing as an interested gambler, an ST reporter accepted the invitation and visited the premises for about 10 minutes. “There’s nothing much to do at home, so we organised this. If not we’ll be bored,” one punter said, as he set up the game.

The reporter left before the session began. It was one of four different gambling sessions reporters were invited to attend that night.

These underground gambling sessions are some of the illicit means gamblers are using to beat the blues, as official gambling avenues like Singapore Pools and casinos remain shuttered during the circuit breaker.

Punters have also resorted to placing bets on virtual poker, “private” 4-D or Toto draws, or even esports, while events are put on hold.

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