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Singapore Pools technical glitch leaves punters at a loss

Local football punters have been left in limbo since the weekend, after Singapore Pools suffered a technical glitch that suspended sports betting services and winnings collection at all its outlets for two days.

A Singapore Pools outlet at Hougang Ave 1. Punters have not been able to collect their winnings since the weekend. TODAY FILE PHOTO

A Singapore Pools outlet at Hougang Ave 1. Punters have not been able to collect their winnings since the weekend. TODAY FILE PHOTO

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SINGAPORE — Local football punters have been frustrated by a technical glitch at Singapore Pools that prevented them from placing bets for most of last Sunday at all its outlets, as well as from collecting their winnings from Sunday (Jan 8) to Tuesday (Jan 10).

Annoyed punters were rejected at all 88 branches and four LiveWire betting venues islandwide on Sunday, after being told by Singapore Pools staff that the company was experiencing technical troubles.

Football betting services resumed at about 6.45pm on Sunday. According to punters TODAY spoke to, other betting services such as 4D, Toto and horseracing were unaffected.

Punters were also informed that they could not claim their winnings because of the glitch, and could only do so from 9am on Tuesday. 

However, when TODAY checked at a Singapore Pools outlet at Ghim Moh at around 11.30am on Tuesday, the staff said they were still unable to disburse winnings. The service subsequently resumed at about 2pm.

This is the first time Singapore Pools has experienced a glitch that suspended its sports betting services. Upset punters — many of whom missed out on dozens of football offerings on Sunday — hope it is the last.

“Along the week, I had done research on a few FA Cup matches with the intention of betting on them,” said Mr Johnson Yeo, 44, a renovation sub-contractor who was rejected at Singapore Pools’ Holland Drive outlet on Sunday afternoon. He waited for a while for betting services to resume but eventually left.

“It’s lost opportunity. As the match results turned out, I would have made some money this weekend if not for this glitch,” said Mr Yeo, who was not able to find time later to place his bets.

Another punter visited various Singapore Pools outlets on Sunday and Monday hoping to cash in on his winning ticket from Saturday, only to be left disappointed.

“This has never happened before and I was surprised,” said a taxi driver who wanted to be known only as Mr Lim. He claimed he had won S$800 from his flutter on Manchester United’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Reading. “It’s disappointing as I was desperate to cash out my winnings as I have other daily expenses to bear — like diesel for my cab.”

Singapore Pools had put up notices at all its outlets and on its website to inform customers of the glitch. 

In its reply to TODAY’s queries, Singapore Pools did not address the fact the betting services had been suspended on Sunday.  

“The temporary service disruption was caused by a glitch that occurred during a routine system maintenance, and it has been fixed,” said a company spokesman in an email reply. 

“The service has resumed since 9am, Jan 10, 2017. Customers who have any enquiries can contact our Customer Service Line: 6786 6688.” 

Singapore Pools did not reply to TODAY’s questions on how much potential betting revenue was lost because of the technical issues.

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Singapore Pools Toto punters

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