extracted from ST forums.
Jackpot machines in NTUC, clubs are a bottomless pit . What's there
to help addicts?
I refer to the letter 'Gambling in heartland cause for concern' by
Mr Mike Wong (ST Nov 5). I agree with his views and share his
concerns.
Indeed, gambling has been around for such a long time that we do
not care when it was first legalised. Nor do we bother what needs
to be done to contain this indulgence. Why does the government get
so excited now even before the first stone of the Integrated Resort
is laid?
Another bottomless pit that has drained much of the people's
reserves are the jackpot machines. It is legalised gambling and
most of the players will roll until their last dollar is
gone.
Some clubs even offer NETS service to buy coins at their cashier's
counter. The clubs' objectives are the same - entice people to play
a machine that notably has the odds stacked very much against
them.
In fact, all the clubs have openly admitted that jackpot machines
are their biggest source of revenue.
While country clubs may be located in remote places and are
accessible to members only, the NTUC clubs are situated in business
districts, holiday resorts and HDB heartlands.
One only needs to pay a visit to any of the clubs to experience the
hustle and bustle of a casino. But unlike casinos that offer 5
cents or even 1 cent per game, our machines are 20 cents, 50 cents,
or even $1. A stake of $2.50 to $5 for a five-seconds spin is
typical. Retirees, housewives and workers are frequent
visitors.
To them, the proposed Integrated Resort is a non-event. At the
clubs, the opening hours are long, particularly on weekends. Many
clubs do not even bother to check whether you are a member.
Some retirees confessed that they had already passed on all their
CPF withdrawals to the clubs and housewives have claimed that they
had 'invested' a condominium or even a bungalow in the
machines.
Much has been said but what has been done to check the gambling
habits of our citizens and the social ills that are associated with
a gambling house, as far as the jackpot is concerned?
Have we ever considered the plight of families with jackpot
addicts? Where is the big debate? Where is the exclusion
order?
Daniel Chan Wai Piew
