Tighten rules governing jackpot machines in clubs

While police investigations into the Football Association of Singapore and Tiong Bahru Football Club are ongoing, there is no reason that other agencies not directly related to the case cannot take action concurrently.

They should not be delayed by the episode, which may drag on, as the S$36 million Tiong Bahru FC amassed from jackpot machines makes a mockery of the privileges extended for private clubs to keep their ostensibly altruistic objectives afloat.

Does anyone believe that its 25,000 club members whiling away the nights at its 29 jackpot machines are bona fide football fans enjoying a break in between football discussions?

The authorities must stop this abuse of private club licensing rights and recognise the practice as unlicensed pseudo-gambling (FAS has no control over how NFL clubs run jackpot operations; April 25).

It is for the Government, through the Tote Board, to decide how public gambling is to be allowed. It is for the Board to dispense gambling incomes for philanthropic causes.

A private club has neither such stringent oversight nor public accountability and does not carry a moral responsibility to disburse its earnings meaningfully or fairly.

In order not to deprive other well-intentioned organisations of passive income from this leisure activity, perhaps the authorities could fix this loophole by minimising the number of jackpot machines per club and the operating hours, notwithstanding the membership size.

Alternatively, corporate income from these gambling sources could be taxed at a higher rate. As a last resort, these clubs could be banned from having one-armed bandits on their premises.