More migrant workers excluded themselves from Singapore Pools online betting, jackpot rooms in 2023

SINGAPORE – More migrant workers sought to bar themselves from Singapore Pools’ online betting and jackpot machine rooms in 2023, after the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) made it easier for them to do so online.

More than double the number of people banned themselves from such gambling activities in 2023 compared with 2022.

These self-exclusion orders allow people to voluntarily ban themselves from opening or maintaining a Singapore Pools online betting account, as well as entering or remaining in all jackpot machine rooms in private clubs. Individuals can also bar themselves from casinos.

For Singapore Pools online betting, 19,038 self-exclusions were made in 2023, up 118 per cent from the 8,731 in 2022.

The data, which was published in April by the NCPG, also show that 23,072 self-exclusions were made for jackpot machine rooms in 2023 – a 134 per cent jump from 2022, when there were 9,821. 

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, NCPG spokesman Sim Gim Guan said the increase was due to more foreign workers applying for self-exclusions. He attributed this to the council’s efforts to digitalise, and its work with parties such as employers and dormitory operators.

For instance, he pointed out that NCPG’s webchat function is now featured prominently on its revamped website, leading to an increase in the number of people who sought help in 2023.

“Users could seek help through text-based communication that can be accessed conveniently from anywhere. This mode is used by those who prefer texting instead of verbal communication,” he added.

The report showed a year-on-year increase in the number of people seeking help through NCPG’s helpline and webchat. The number of calls to the helpline or webchat increased from 10,388 in 2022 to 12,462 in 2023.

The helpline and webchat provide information on counselling and safeguards such as self-exclusion orders. Its increased use indicates “a growing willingness among individuals to address gambling issues”, said Mr Sim.

He also said the council worked with the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), companies employing migrant workers and dormitory operators to educate migrant workers about problem gambling, and encouraged them to apply for self-exclusion.

MWC executive director Michael Lim said migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling as they often face language barriers and isolation, and are unfamiliar with local laws and customs.

He added that the centre has been helping migrant workers apply for casino self-exclusion programmes since 2011.

“MWC wants to help them avoid being lured into situations of financial instability and related crimes,” he said.

“Problem gambling not only impacts financial health but also takes a toll on their physical and mental well-being.”

With their employees’ consent, employers of migrant workers can also apply for self-exclusion from gambling activities for them through NCPG’s website. 

Migrant workers can opt out of the self-exclusion programme.

Mr Sim added that while the number of applications for self-exclusion orders has gone up, the number of people receiving counselling for gambling has dropped.

There was an almost 40 per cent decrease in the number of people seeking counselling for gambling with the Institute of Mental Health’s National Addictions Management Service and the NCPG’s appointed agency in 2023, compared with 2022.

The figures exclude those from other community agencies that offer gambling addiction recovery support.