Singapore Pools outlets to close for half day on May 9 to let staff volunteer at community event

SINGAPORE – All Singapore Pools branches will be closed on May 9 for half a day so that its employees can volunteer at a community event.

The branches will be closed from 8am to 3pm. Authorised retail outlets, Livewire venues for live sports betting and online account services will not be affected, the betting operator said on Friday.

Some 340 employees have volunteered to help out at Singapore Pools Community Day 2023, where beneficiaries from social service agencies get to “enjoy a day out at Gardens by the Bay with games and engagement activities”.

The nearly 300 beneficiaries can interact with augmented reality elements along walking trails.

“Using augmented reality, Singapore Pools hopes to continue supporting the Digital for Life movement to excite participants – especially seniors – with the possibilities brought about by technology and encourage them to continue advancing on the digital journey,” the betting operator said.

The event, which will be attended by Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo, coincides with Singapore Pools’ 55th anniversary.

It will be the second time that it will close its outlets for half a day on a regular day of operations for a community programme, it added.

Singapore Pools chief executive Lam Chee Weng said the company hopes to bring fun and the outdoors to the beneficiaries from social service agencies such as the Society for the Aged Sick, National Kidney Foundation and Loving Heart, among others.

“At Singapore Pools, contributing to society is core to our purpose and volunteering has been a big part of our corporate culture.”