MR NARAYANA Narayana's letter on Wednesday ("Singapore Pools,
Turf Club adding to gambling concerns") vividly captures the
gambling scenario here. I agree with him that the spread of
gambling activities should be a source of worry, even as these
operators help to fill the Government's coffers, albeit at the
expense of the vulnerable.
I don't doubt the sincerity of Singapore Pools and Turf Club in
trying to urge people to "play responsibly", but surely they did
not seriously think that merely putting up a sign was going to
work? Nowadays, one can't help noticing that these signs have
largely been overwhelmed by much bigger ones reminding the public
of impending super-draws and urging everybody to go for them.
If this is not encouraging people to gamble, what is?
Gambling in the heartland is getting out of hand, and we should
be concerned. It's not uncommon to see queues at 4-D/Toto outlets
that are longer than those at supermarket cashier counters. If
indeed selling false hope to the desperate and gullible is what we
must do, let's do it discreetly and without promoting the
devil-may-care attitude to gambling that we see all around. Let's
keep gambling activities out of the malls and supermarkets, and
away from children.
The social cost of gambling is mounting and Singapore Pools and
Turf Club can help minimise this by acting more responsibly.
Lee Seck Kay
