Fewer S’pore households spend on gambling, smoking from 2013 to 2023, but those who did paid more

SINGAPORE – The proportion of resident households in Singapore that spent money on gambling and smoking has dropped more than 40 per cent over the years. But the households that did spend in these areas increased their expenditure.

In 2013, about one in five resident households in Singapore spent money on gambling. By 2023, this dropped to about one in 10.

Smoking habits saw a similar decline, as the proportion of households with such spending decreased from about 17 per cent to 9 per cent in the same decade.

Presenting these trends in its newsletter on April 29, the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat) said they likely reflected the impact of public awareness campaigns, stringent tobacco control measures and evolving social attitudes.

SingStat analysts crunched data from the 2012/2013, 2017/2018 and 2023 Household Expenditure Survey, which is conducted once every five years. Between 11,050 and 13,100 households participated each time and gave data on their spending over a two-week period.

Gambling was defined as joining Singapore Pools lotteries, sports betting, horse racing betting and casinos, as well as mahjong and card games, and smoking as using cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products.

The fall in proportions of households with such expenditure was found across all residence types and income groups.

Both gambling and smoking were more prevalent among households living in Housing Board flats – about 11 per cent of them engaged in such activities in 2023.

In particular, gambling was most common among HDB four-room flat dwellers, while smoking was most prevalent among one- and two-room HDB flat households.

In comparison, 7.2 per cent of those living in condominiums and 9.5 per cent of households in landed properties spent on gambling in 2023.

Smoking was even less common in these residence types, with both at around 3 per cent.

Comparing income groups in 2023, gambling was more prevalent among the middle 60 per cent income groups, while smoking was more common among the lowest 60 per cent income groups.

Costly habits

Households with gambling and smoking habits spent more in 2023 than in 2013, with average monthly gambling expenditure rising from $240 to $283, and smoking expenditure going from $224 to $255.

Landed property households spent the highest average amount monthly on gambling ($328), while those in one- to two-room HDB flats were the biggest spenders on smoking in 2023 ($286).

Though most residence types and income groups increased their spending on gambling and smoking, this was a heavier burden for lower-income households and those living in one- to two-room HDB flats.

Money spent on smoking took up about 5 per cent of monthly household expenditure for households in the lowest 20 per cent income group, compared with 2.3 per cent for the top 20 per cent.

The SingStat analysts said the increase in smoking expenditure can be “largely attributed” to price increases.

Singapore hiked its tobacco excise duty several times in the last decade. It was raised by 10 per cent in 2014, a further 10 per cent in 2018, and another 15 per cent in 2023.

A latest 20 per cent tax hike was imposed in February, increasing the potential price for a packet of Marlboro cigarettes from about $15.60 to $17.74.

Changing social norms

Dr Yvette van der Eijk, an assistant professor at the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who researches tobacco policies in Singapore, said smoking has been “denormalised” over the years.

This was due to policies like making beaches and parks smoke-free areas, as well as public education campaigns against smoking, she said.

She added that smoking used to be seen as normal or even glamourised, but perceptions changed as more realised its negative health effects.

“One big shift occurred when there was more awareness about the health effects of second-hand smoke, because then it’s no longer a nuisance, but a health hazard for people around you,” she said.

Pastor Billy Lee, the founder of Blessed Grace Social Services, which runs support groups for gambling addicts, said gambling prevalence may have dwindled as recreational gamblers cut such expenses amid rising costs of living.

But he said those who are already addicted may spend more as their pleasure-seeking system has been “rewired”.

“They will continue to chase their losses,” he said, adding that such individuals first need to admit they cannot help themselves.

We Care Community Services, which helps those struggling with addictions, saw its number of gambling cases jump from 39 in 2023 to 103 in 2025, partly due to more young people seeking help.

Its senior counsellor Yvonne Yuen said: “By equipping them with healthier coping skills and stronger support networks, we help individuals and their families rebuild their lives.”

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that the proportion of resident households in Singapore that spent money on gambling and smoking has dropped more than 40 percentage points, instead of 40 per cent. We are sorry for the error.