I READ with great disquiet the advertisement in the print media
about the coming Singapore Pools 'Double Happiness' Toto draws to
celebrate Chinese New Year.
The ad put up by Singapore Pools - which can also be viewed on
its website - indicates that the $5 million 'Reunion Draw' and the
$10 million 'Hongbao Draw' would be conducted at its Livewire
outlets at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands respectively.
This is different from the usual practice of conducting all draws
at its main branch in Selegie Road.
Is this a marketing collaboration between Singapore Pools and
the two integrated resorts to draw visitors to the IRs during the
Chinese New Year period?
My biggest concern is that both the IRs may utilise Singapore
Pools as a vehicle to promote gaming activities since they are not
allowed to conduct any promotion programmes for gaming among
Singaporeans. Although Singapore Pools is a gaming entity, its main
purpose is to combat illegal gaming activities - and channel
surplus earnings to benefit the community - unlike the two IRs, for
which gaming is a business.
As Singapore Pools constantly reminds Singaporeans to be
responsible gamers, likewise I would urge Singapore Pools to
demonstrate to us that it is a responsible gaming provider.
Teo Eng Hock
