Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS), which gives money management advice, saw 175 gambling cases last year, up from 101 in 2006, and 42 cases in the first quarter of this year alone.

Its president, Mr Kuo How Nam, said easy access to credit cards and unsecured credit were the biggest contributors to the growth in debts from gambling.

Gamblers typically blow all their cash on gaming and then 'max out' their credit cards to buy other things.

'And gamblers don't just stop at one bank. They go to six or seven,' Mr Kuo said. Some even used their cards to buy electronic goods on instalment and then sold these for cash.

In the first quarter of this year, gamblers were in debt to the tune of $58,457 on average, slightly lower than $66,858 last year.

CCS figures followed the latest gambling participation survey by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. It found that more people see gambling as a leisure activity and get into it at a younger age.

Said Mr Kuo: 'The complacency towards incurring debt, together with the growing acceptability of gambling, is a combustible mixture.'

A CCS client who wanted to be known only as Sally is about $73,000 in debt from her flings with 4-D and the jackpot machine. She said: 'It's easy to walk into a trap. You just get greedy and keep thinking you can win back everything.'

Mr Kuo suggested banks identify clients with gambling problems. They could work with counsellors to restructure loans and offer longer repayment periods to those being counselled.

His third suggestion: Run a nationwide drive against gambling on credit.

The National Council on Problem Gambling said that, although the recent survey reflected stable gambling participation and problem gambling rates since 2005, a small but significant group still risks gambling addiction.

It has set up two counselling centres with the help of Thye Hua Kwan and Care Corner Counselling to advise problem gamblers and support their families. These centres work with partners, including CCS.

The council said it will step up public education on the ills of excessive gambling.

simlinoi@sph.com.sg