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The
Straits Times, Forum Page 19 Mar 04
Government is right to try and save gamblers from themselves
Judging from the information provided in the article "Breaking
the bank to woo Lady Luck" (The Sunday Times, Mar 14), the Government's
decision to restrict punting in Singapore's casino - if it is built
- to the rich, is a prudent one ("If your chips are down, you're
out, ST, Mar 17)
While we should have a casino here for reasons symbolic (to indicate
that Singapore is opening up) and economic (to provide revenue for
the tourism and service industries), the social implications of having
a casino also need to be considered.
A recent survey showed that one in five people doubt they can give
up gambling, and most addicts can't or won't admit they are addicted.
A counsellor said: "When (the gamblers) lose, they think "If
I stop gambling, there'll be no reward". Hope of winning outweighs
rationale and willpower."
In another article "Why the casino rethink" (The Sunday
Times, Mar 14) Mr Edwin Choy, who co-founded the Centre for Fathering,
said: "Families have been ruined because of the gambling casinos
encourage. The majority of gamblers lose most of times, it's a lose-lose
situtation for the gamblers and families."
Because society and rules evolve gradually, a sudden policy change
without safeguards may be too much, too fast, simply because people
underestimate - or are unaware - how addictive gambling can be.
Do Singaporeans have the discipline to stop? While I am sure most
do, there are some who don't. So we presently still need government
regulations to save gambling addicts - blinded by greed at the gambling
table - from themselves. It is truly sad to see people borrowing money
from banks just to gamble. Perhaps after getting used to a casino
and the personal responsibility that it entails, there can be a gradual
liberalisation of rules.
By considering building a casino, Singapore itself is taking a huge
gamble. The stakes - the financial future of individuals and families
- are indubitably high. So it is better to take things slowly, with
the understanding that this is a gamble that we - as a small country
with zero natural resources - simply cannot afford to lose.
Benson Ang Weixiong |
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