Casino games prove popular in shops as parents worry
over influence
By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted:
03 March 2010 0626 hrs
SINGAPORE: With casino games such as roulette flying off
the shelves, some parents are worried about the influence games of
chance might have on their kids.
Cashing in on the casino hype, some major toy stores are offering
games resembling those played at casinos, such as roulette and
poker with the full works - money chips, cards and dice.
Major toy chain Toys "R" Us sells these items in the "family fun
and games" section while OG department stores and Mustafa Centre
carry mini-roulette sets in their toy sections.
Parents whom MediaCorp spoke to had mixed responses about the sale
of these items in toy shops but all said they would not buy them
for their children.
Ms Anita Fam, mother of two school-going children, said she was
deeply disturbed to see roulette sets being displayed prominently
when she visited a Toy "R" Us outlet over the weekend.
Ms Fam, 46, said it sends a signal that gambling is acceptable.
"Children are very impressionable and this could be the start of a
slippery slope," she said.
But Ms Sharon Yeo, who has a five-year-old son, said exposing
children to these games might be useful.
"Instead of restricting his knowledge, I'd rather teach my son the
rights and wrongs of gambling," said Ms Yeo, 33, who was at a Toys
"R" Us outlet on Tuesday.
MediaCorp, which visited three Toys "R" Us outlets over the past
two days, found that stocks for both casino game sets were running
low.
The roulette sets, which have been on promotion since early this
year, are placed near the entrance of some outlets. According to
sales staff, the majority of buyers for both items are adults and
older teens.
At OG stores, staff said that the mini-roulette sets were brought
in during Christmas and sales have been positive, with a complete
sell-out at one outlet. Mustafa Centre, on the other hand, said it
has been selling the item for some time now.
But child experts are not too alarmed. Dr Daniel Fung, head of
child psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, pointed out
that toy shops also sell items like toy guns which encourage kids
to play shooting and killing games. He said it is up to parents to
decide what they want for their children.
Psychiatrist Dr Chou Mei Ling likens casino games to board games
such as Monopoly, in which fake bank notes are used.
"Through roulette or poker, children can learn the concepts of
chance and risk playing, but parents must also teach them the
consequences of incurring debt," said Dr Chou, director of Centre
for Creative Development. - TODAY
