Gambling in Singapore drops to record low, but spending sees a rise

Rajashree Seal November 28, 2024

SiGMA news

A decline has been witnessed in gambling participation among Singapore residents, according to the 2023 Gambling Participation Survey published by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) on Thursday (November 28). The revealed that only 40% of adults engaged in gambling activities in 2023, down from 44% in 2020 and 52% in 2017. This marks the lowest participation rate since the survey began in 2005.

The survey, conducted every three years, analysed the gambling behaviours of 3,007 Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and above. It was carried out between July 2023 and March 2024 and achieved a response rate of 73%.

Although fewer people are gambling, those who do are spending more. The median monthly expenditure on gambling rose to $25 in 2023, compared to $15 in 2020, though it remains lower than the $30 recorded in 2017. The survey also found that 69% of gamblers participated less than once a week, while 31% gambled on a weekly basis or more frequently.

Lotteries remain preferred choice

Lotteries such as 4D and TOTO continue to be the most popular forms of gambling. Approximately 30% of respondents took part in 4D, while 29% participated in TOTO. These preferences have remained consistent over the years.

Increase in illegal online gambling

Illegal online gambling has seen a slight rise, with 1% of respondents admitting to using illegal platforms, up from 0.3% in 2020. Since 2015, authorities have blocked over 3,800 illegal gambling websites and frozen more than $36 million in related transactions. However, 92% of gamblers still prefer legal avenues such as Singapore Pools.

Problem gambling rate steady

Despite the decline in participation, the survey shows that problem gambling rates have remained at 1.1%. The rate of probable pathological and problem gambling is 1.1%, consistent with figures from previous years. Of this, 0.2% are classified as pathological gamblers, and 1% as problem gamblers.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli attributed this stability to Singapore’s safeguards, including the casino entry levy and family exclusion orders. “The decrease in the overall gambling participation rate indicates that our social safeguards continue to be effective,” he said.

Support and awareness

The NCPG continues to support individuals facing gambling issues, providing help to approximately 11,000 individuals annually. It also promotes family and community support for those affected by gambling problems. Public education campaigns are set to expand, particularly to raise awareness about the risks of illegal online platforms.

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