UNLIKE some Singaporeans, I have supported the building of the
two casinos in Singapore. I consider gambling to be a part of
life.
Many people gamble on 4-D, Toto, mahjong and on sports events.
For most people, the biggest gamble is on the stock markets. They
speculate on the movement of stock prices, although they think they
are making an investment.
In my view, there is nothing wrong when a person gambles away
money that he can afford to lose. If he does not spend the money on
a bet, he could have spent the same money on other forms of
entertainment.
It is a different matter, however, when a person gambles away
money that he cannot afford to lose.
I was, therefore, shocked to learn that a person could lose $26
million over three days at a casino. It does not take so much money
to cause financial disaster for a family. Many people cannot afford
to lose a few thousand dollars that are needed for the expenses of
their household.
The real danger is not in gambling with cash, but gambling on
credit. The Government should forbid the casino from granting
credit to patrons. All gambling should be with cash brought in or
wired in advance to an account in the casino. This restriction
should be extended to all other licensed gambling outlets.
I also urge the Government to pass a law to disallow the
operation of loan sharks that lend money for gambling. All such
loans should be treated as unlawful and unenforceable.
When the real danger, that is, gambling on credit, is dealt
with, I suggest the removal of the levy of $100 that has to be paid
by Singapore citizens and permanent residents visiting a
casino.
Do not deprive Singapore residents of the chance to enjoy the
excellent facilities of these two casinos when they are made
readily available to tourists from our neighbouring countries and
from afar.
Tan Kin Lian
