Problem gambling rates in Singapore decline to 0.7 percent last year

Overall problem gambling rates among people in Singapore has decreased in the past three years from 2.6 percent in 2011 to 0.7 percent last year, according to the latest survey by the National Council of Problem Gambling.

In a survey of 3,000 Singapore residents aged 18 and above, 44 percent said they participated in at least one form of gambling activity in a year, compared to 47 per cent in 2011.

An increase in people gambled with smaller amounts of money last year, on average $56 per month, compared to 2011 when the average spend was almost $170 per month.

The rate of probable pathological gambling - a more severe form of addiction - fell from 1.4 per cent in 2011 to 0.2 per cent in 2014. Though the survey revealed more more are starting regular gambling at a young age.

"Our youth are increasingly vulnerable to developing a gambling addiction, in particular online gambling, through early exposure via free social gambling simulation games." said Lim Hock San, chairman of the National Council of Problem Gambling.

 

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