Yesterday from 9am to 1 pm, there was a community project on gambling prevention- "Is It Worth A Bet ?" held here in Singapore. A wide range of topics were discussed during this conference. I managed to extract some of the newspaper cutting from the Chinese Paper ( Zaobao ) and share with you here in my blog together with my own thoughts and view.
Recent headline of the Free Shuttle Service to IR was also discuss in the Conference. During the weekend, the reports noted that there weren't any reduction in the crowd at the IR, and punters still swarming to the Casinos.
So where are we heading now ?
Have the authority thought of the losses incurred by the bus operators, and also the job of the over 30 bus drivers are at stake here !!!
What about their families ? If the bus service is the issue of creating more gamblers in Singapore, why not cancel all other bus services to the IR !!
At times I really do wonder whether the decision made by those in power, made any sense ?? Or are they just acting for the sake of reacting and make sure being seen in doing something good for the community.
During this community conference, many professionals still think that by visiting the Casinos, many would become a problem gamblers and eventually a gambling addict. Then they would start to cause many social problems. The newspaper cutting below reported that these professionals thinks that by stopping the Free Bus services, we can protect those who has very weak self control or self-will, and stop them from going to the Casino ......
I thought to myself, do these people understand about gambling addiction, or perhaps do they even understand the gambling problems in Singapore or the Gambling culture in Singapore .....
So, is everyone saying that weren't many problem gamblers, social problems caused by gambling in Singapore even before the IR were built ??? Touch your heart, Think Again .... Is it true ???
During one of the professional sharing, Dr Guo Song from NAMS, IMH, shared with the public that research has shown that only 1% of the gamblers would eventually become gambling addicts, meaning only 1 in every 100 gamblers is a gambling addict.
So if that's the proven study in the field of addiction and we in Singapore love "figures"so much, why cancel the Free Bus Service for the General Public just because of these 1 % ??
IR has also given the figures that more than 60% of those taking the Bus Services don't go to the Casinos..... Why not a proper study and on ground survey being done properly before such hasty decision. RWS shares with the reporters that on a daily basis, only 5%of the gamblers came by the Free Bus Service.
Why are we targetting at the IRs and not other gambling activities and social problems caused by problem gambling even before the IRs were built ?
These 10-17 people will go through stages of denial, stress and breakdown.
Dr Guo shared that the best way to protect themselves is to use tough love. Do not enable the gambling addicts by bailing them out and allowing them extra money to chase their losses.
Cut the fuel and oxygen and fire won't burn. Gambling addict will manipulate, lies, pretend to gain sympathy, swearing each time they won't gamble again. Some even threaten suicide in order to seek bailout. (See article on the right)
I don't represent any organisation nor am I anti-govt. I am just speaking from the point of a recovering gambling addict and wanted to do something for recovery community here in Singapore. I don't only critisice. I share my strength, experience in recovery to create awareness, so that there will eventually be acceptance for people like me.
We are not bad and evil people. We are just sick people trying to get well. We need proper help, medical help, community assistance, family acceptance.
Every gambling addict has his/her own prefereed choice of game. Casino is just one of them. Why waste so much energy and money in this area where many are suffering becasue of other gambling activities such as the slot machines, internet gambling, soccer betting, horse racing, 4d betting etc ?
Why do we kept barking at the IR who has contributed so much to our economy recovery by paying so much taxes ? I really do pity them. They are doing just running proper business like other club houses in Singapore who offer slot machines for their members and general public. What about the 300 over Singapore Pools outlets in every of our estate? What about those illegal bookies which are operating so huge in Singapore, offering internet betting to their customers ?
If you want really help us, help the problem gamblers, help those in danger of crossing the line, please engage us, hear from us. The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel.
Thanks for allowing me to share. Once again, my name is Bennie, and I am a gambling addict.
