130,000 excluded from casinos to date

SINGAPORE: About 130,000 people have been excluded from casinos to date, revealed Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing in Parliament on Friday.

This includes about 85,000 people on self—exclusion, 43,000 people on third—party exclusion, and 1,200 on family exclusion orders.

Mr Chan also said that the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) and Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre saw the number of people seeking help increase from 300 in 2008 to close to 770 between January and October 2012.

"The upward trend is likely to be a result of efforts by NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling) and NAMS to raise awareness of problem gambling," said the acting minister.

NAMS and Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre are the two main government—funded service points for gambling addiction.

The acting minister also announced the formation of a Responsible Gambling Forum, which will facilitate the exchange of views on responsible gambling practices and foster mutual understanding between the community and gaming industry.

"I am heartened to note that both community stakeholders and major gambling operators have shown strong support for this idea and have agreed to be part of this Forum," Mr Chan added.

— CNA/jc