The National Council of Churches Singapore (NCCS) has called for a review of a recent decision to allow two lottery operators here to offer online betting, citing worries about problem gambling.
In a statement yesterday, it appealed to the Government to relook its decision to allow Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club to start running online betting platforms here in the next two months.
The council, which represents more than 250 churches here, said it was gravely concerned about the move to exempt the operators from the Remote Gambling Act.
It said the Government is sending “confusing and conflicting signals”, noting that the Remote Gambling Act, which outlaws all online and phone betting activities, was passed by Parliament just two years ago.
Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it was giving the nod to the operators to launch online services, following applications by the Singapore-based lottery operators to be exempted from the Act.
Singapore Pools will launch its online betting services on Oct 25 and the Turf Club will roll out its new Web and mobile platform on Nov 15. Punters can place bets for 4D, Toto, football, F1 sports and horse-racing.
MHA had said the operators will have to put in place safeguards, such as allowing only those above 21 to open accounts, and checks to ensure those who try to open accounts do not have existing casino exclusion orders.
MHA had said a complete ban would only drive remote gambling underground, making it harder to detect.
But NCCS, the first religious organisation to comment on the issue, said it “finds it difficult” to accept this rationale, adding that this “cannot be the best option for Singapore”.
The council said it was concerned about the adverse personal, familial and social effects of online gambling.
It cited studies highlighting how problem gambling affects the family, productivity at work and also leads to depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies in pathological gamblers.
Internet gambling is also responsible for the increased incidence of underage gambling, it added.
Noting it is “deeply concerned” that social problems would worsen, it added: “Removing the temptation of gambling from living rooms and work spaces will ultimately strengthen the fabric of our society for generations to come.”
melodyz@sph.com.sg
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