Youth Gambling In Singapore Triggers Help Programmes
Gambling among youths in Singapore is triggering programmes aimed at curbing
the trend by raising awareness of the pitfalls, concerned organizations said
Friday.
While global research shows that young people are up to four times more
likely than adults to become problem gamblers, The Straits Times said that
the latest survey in the city-state indicated that nearly half of all
gamblers started between the ages of 18 and 24. "These days, even those in
their preteens demonstrate risk behaviours, saying things like, 'I bet with
you,'" senior counsellor Lisa Goh was quoted as saying. The lure of wagering
is evident when secondary-school students are seen gambling on housing block
decks. A Handling Underaged Gambling programme targeted at those between
ages 10 and 17 has been started in six schools, reaching out to more than
2,000 students. "We want to stress that gambling involves not just money but
valuables too," Goh told the newspaper. "We need to make youth aware of its
serious consequences and how it can become a threat to family life." With
Singapore's first casinos scheduled to open in 2009 and 2010, Goh stressed
the timeliness of boosting awareness among impressionable youths. Entrance
to the casinos will be limited to those over 21, but the excitement
surrounding them has prompted some youngsters to learn the popular casino
games years beforehand. The Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, which runs a
gambling hotline, told the newspaper that 35 per cent of callers are soccer
gamblers. The National Council on Problem Gambling is supporting two
initiatives aimed at youth, starting next month. One is a roadshow, complete
with mobile exhibits and interactive educational games. The other screens a
film depicting gambling issues and encourages youth to discuss the problems
raised.
the trend by raising awareness of the pitfalls, concerned organizations said
Friday.
While global research shows that young people are up to four times more
likely than adults to become problem gamblers, The Straits Times said that
the latest survey in the city-state indicated that nearly half of all
gamblers started between the ages of 18 and 24. "These days, even those in
their preteens demonstrate risk behaviours, saying things like, 'I bet with
you,'" senior counsellor Lisa Goh was quoted as saying. The lure of wagering
is evident when secondary-school students are seen gambling on housing block
decks. A Handling Underaged Gambling programme targeted at those between
ages 10 and 17 has been started in six schools, reaching out to more than
2,000 students. "We want to stress that gambling involves not just money but
valuables too," Goh told the newspaper. "We need to make youth aware of its
serious consequences and how it can become a threat to family life." With
Singapore's first casinos scheduled to open in 2009 and 2010, Goh stressed
the timeliness of boosting awareness among impressionable youths. Entrance
to the casinos will be limited to those over 21, but the excitement
surrounding them has prompted some youngsters to learn the popular casino
games years beforehand. The Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, which runs a
gambling hotline, told the newspaper that 35 per cent of callers are soccer
gamblers. The National Council on Problem Gambling is supporting two
initiatives aimed at youth, starting next month. One is a roadshow, complete
with mobile exhibits and interactive educational games. The other screens a
film depicting gambling issues and encourages youth to discuss the problems
raised.
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