Efforts to discourage people from gambling still fall short

Singapore’s gamble to build casinos may have paid off from the economic standpoint, but regrettably, the impact on its people is not so positive (“More Singaporeans gambling but number of hardcore gamblers holds steady”; March 27).

As corporate honchos and businesses maximise profits, the people suffering misery and hardship are their customers and those related to them.

Frequent visits to casinos feed the addiction to gambling, leading to severe consequences for compulsive gamblers and their families.

Despite full awareness of the harm that gambling can do, efforts to deter or discourage people from this vice still fall short.

In cases where gamblers become unemployed and face financial woes because of their debts, they become tempted to make ends meet by unlawful means.

When they try to borrow money from relatives and friends, they risk isolation and jeopardise their relationships with these people.

Financially stretched and hard-pressed to meet essential household expenses, some distressed housewives whose husbands are gamblers are then compelled to find jobs urgently or turn to being taxi drivers, for example, working long hours and sacrificing caregiving duties at home.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (1800-5224700) is in place, but some problem gamblers and their families remain reluctant to seek help because of the stigma and strong feelings of shame. Depression and emotional distress could also drive them towards taking desperate moves to end it all with one thoughtless act.

The negative social impact of gambling is unquestionable, yet the economic benefits generated by the presence of casinos are too tempting for governments to resist. Job creation and tourist dollars were major factors taken into account when the casinos were permitted to operate legally.

Even if they are meaningful contributors to the coffers of a country, putting all the arguments in the right perspective, do the ends really justify the means?