After my previous blog entry on the dire effects of lotteries, I will be taking about gambling and its serious consequences on the youth. I will be also discussing whether the choice of building casino in Singapore is right in my point of view. Before I start, I have done a lot of research on the topic, gambling and will like to show the statistics.

-Situation of Singapore
Based a reading from MCYS Gambling Participation Survey 2008, I had realised that the rate of the youth getting addicted to gambling and lotteries is soaring as more gambling opportunities are found in Singapore. Here is the reading of the amount of youth starting to gamble:

KEY FINDINGS FROM MCYS GAMBLING PARTICIPATION SURVEY 2008


Age at first gambling experience: Approximately 75% of the respondents of the surveys who ever gambled began gambling as early as the age of 24 or younger -

These statistics also show a significant increase from 63% in 2005. Hence, we can infer from this evidence that Singapore is facing an early onset of gambling. This can be worse if there are more gambling opportunities.

Some gamblers might even:

  • Gambling longer than intended.


  • Gambling until the last dollar is spent.


  • Thinking of gambling losses causes stress e.g. loss of sleep, depression or even suicide.


  • Using income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid.


  • Repeated but unsuccessful attempts to give up or control gambling.


  • Borrowing money to finance one's gambling needs.


  • Bankrupt

Source: National Council of Problem Gambing

In my opinion, I feel that gambling is really very harmful and dangerous at the same time as you may get bankrupt for just one bet. It may even lead you to more severe consequences and it may even cause your family relationships to turn worse. Hence, Singapore has finished building the casino, there will be more gambling opportunities and this will eventually cause a higher risk of the youth being exposed and addicted to gambling. As a result, problem gambling will soon occur, causing the youth of Singapore to be so obsessed with gambling that they might even gamble for their lifes and end up bankrupt.

-Severe Consequences of problem gambling
Problem gambling may be associated with mental health and well-being issues. These include feeling a loss in control, decision making, ability to cope and autonomy. In addition, gamblers may also engage in some other negative behaviours:

  • Personality disorders
  • Compulsive shopping
  • Anorexia / Bulimia / Eating Disorder
  • Psychiatric problems
  • Thoughts or fantasies of suicide
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse or other addictions
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug use

Source: TSheedy/FutureDirections/Singapore/July07

Hence, this proved that if Casino is ready, there will be more problem gambling cases which will also lead to an increase of mental health problems in the society. In addition, if more people are to be addicted to gambling and cannot restrain themselves, they will also end up being bankrupt or losing their homes. To make matters worse, building casino may also cause a high rate of crime. Since more people are gambling, some of them might lose all of their savings and cause them to be bankrupt. Then, they might end up stealing and even going to jail. These are some of the negative effects of building a casino.

Some people might think that building a casino might attract more tourists to Singapore, but in my opinion, most of the tourists visit Singapore as they are attracted by its nature. But do you really think that the tourists who have never been to Singapore will be delighted to see a concrete city with casinos? Do you think that a casino really attracts tourists?
I am not too sure about it but I know having a casino will somehow increase the crime rate as more people will want to get money to gamble. Since the crime rate has increased, the tourists will be feeling that it is unsafe to visit Singapore, hence, it does not really helps a lot in attracting more tourists.

-My opinion
I really condemn the construction of the casino in Singapore as there are many negative impacts on the youth, society and tourism. Hence, I will not support to have a casino in Singapore due to long-term issues.