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I FIND it rather ironic that, on the one hand, we have the National Council on Problem Gambling issuing the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice to prevent problem gambling and, on the other hand, Singapore Pools putting out a new product that encourages gambling - phone betting service for soccer matches - and increasing the number of Singapore Sweep prizes, resulting in the odds of winning going up from 1 in 108 to 1 in 67.
Singapore Pools defended its move by saying that the new service is meant for current punters, not to attract new ones. But the fact is that when you make it easy to bet by just picking up the phone and punching numbers, you are encouraging those who have that visceral urge but the cerebral inhibition to gamble, to act. With mobile phones you can bet anywhere, even when overseas. For those who are betting illegally, they will not change their behaviour.
Phone betting would also encourage those who, for some reason, feel awkward to be seen in betting outlets.
We already have phone betting for horse-racing, with live coverage. With the same service for soccer matches and with increased Sweep prize money and better odds, what does it all add up to? More problem gambling.
Harry Chia Kim Seng
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