Plenary Session II: People-Sector Initiatives to Address Problem Gambling

Plenary Session II:People-Sector Initiatives to Address Problem Gambling Presentation by NCPG Secretariat 5 July 2007

National Council on Problem Gambling “Working with the community to reduce the impact of problem gambling on individuals, families and society.” • 15 member independent Council: est. Aug 2005 • Terms of Reference: •  To provide advice and feedback to MCYS on public education programmes to promote public awareness on problem gambling. •  To decide on funding applications for preventive and rehabilitative programmes. •  To assess and advise the Government on the effectiveness of treatment, counselling and rehabilitative programmes. •  To decide on the applications for exclusion of persons from casinos.

Survey on the Perceptions & Attitudes towards Gambling Issues in Singapore • Survey conducted in 2006 with 2000 respondents • Baseline to assess the NCPG’s future public education efforts; • Assess and evaluate the perceptions and attitudes towards gambling issues; • Assess the level of awareness of problem gambling, help services and the NCPG

Perceptions of Various Gambling Forms Perception of Various Forms of Gambling • Games are perceived differently • Large majority perceived these as ‘gambling activities’: • Table games by local private gambling operators (82% indicated ‘gambling’ activity) • Table games in casinos/cruises/other countries (81%) • Horse racing (76%) • Jackpot machines in casinos/cruises/other countries (76%) • Online gambling (75%) • Regarded to lesser extent as ‘gambling activities’: • Jackpot machines in clubs (67%) • Sports betting (65%)

Perceptions of Various Gambling Forms Perception of Various Forms of Gambling • Regarded more as ‘leisure activity’: • Social gambling e.g. mahjong, card games involving money and played among close friends and/or relatives (47% indicated ‘gambling’ activity) • 4D (45% indicated ‘gambling’ activity) • Toto (45% indicated ‘gambling’ activity) • Singapore Sweep (43% indicated ‘gambling’ activity) • ScratchIt! (39% indicated ‘gambling’ activity)

General Perceptions Towards Gambling • Most of the view that gambling is potentially harmful: • Gambling is potentially addictive • Gambling is very likely to lead to an unhappy family life • Gambling should not be for financial betterment or for coping emotionally • Singaporeans mostly cautious about chasing wins and recovering losses • Saw gambling as a game of chance rather than skill

General Perceptions Towards Gambling • However, split views on whether: • Gambling is an objectionable activity • Gambling is a fun and entertaining form of recreation • Gamblers generally more accepting towards gambling activities/statements than non-gamblers. For example, they were more likely: • To regard various games as ‘leisure activities’ • To agree that gambling occasionally but not in excess was ok • To agree that gambling was a good way of social bonding

Help Seeking Behaviour If they had gambling related problems: • Most would seek help from Family and Friends • Fewer said they would approach professionals and religious leaders

Help Seeking Behaviour • Higher likelihood of seeking professional help if their families or friends had a gambling problem.

Awareness of Problem Gambling • High overall awareness of harms and warning signs of problem gambling (81%)

Awareness of Help Services • Extremely low awareness of help services available: 0 – 4%

5 Sub-committees • Public Education • Youth Gambling • Service Delivery & Research • Public Consultation • Responsible Gambling

Public Education Through Media Key Messages: • Problem gambling is harmful • Seek help if you or your loved ones are affected Examples: • Sponsored TV documentary/drama series – ‘Bet Your Life’ (Feb 2006), ‘A Million Treasures’ (Dec 2006) • Newspaper advertorials on Problem Gambling Case Studies (2006) • World Cup campaign – advertisements, info Articles in dailies and magazines (Jun 2006) • Chinese New Year Campaign – TV, Radio advertisements using celebrity (Feb 2007)

Public Education • Community Initiatives • $150,000 / year funding for ground initiatives • Plays, talks, exhibitions run by community groups

Public Theatres • DramaBox, D’Rama Arts, Olive Consulting

Public Talks • Care Corner Counselling, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society • Dr Gracemary Leung from Hong Kong

Short Film on Youth Problem Gambling • Short-film on youth soccer gambling; produced by youths for youths • Highlights dangers of youth problem gambling

“Win Big, Don’t Gamble Roadshow” • Introduce the issue of gambling addiction to students and raise awareness of the realities and dangers of gambling

Handling Underaged Gambling (“HUG”) Workshops • Inculcate the right mindset and values to resist the temptations of gambling through hands-on interactive activities

Service Delivery & Research • Worked with MCYS to commission 2 pilot centres last year to offer specialized problem gambling services at community level • Advise on evaluation of intervention services • Advise on gambling-related research • Administer the NCPG Problem Gambling Research Grant 1800 – X-GAMBLE 1800 – 6668-668

Public Consultation • Seek public feedback on issues pertaining to problem gambling • Completed consultation exercise with over 100 stakeholders, members of public, problem gamblers and their families on casino exclusion measures

Responsible Gambling • Engage major gambling operators on responsible gambling practices • Developed the NCPG Responsible Gambling Code of Practice for adoption by major gambling operators

NCPG Responsible Gambling Code of Practice • Voluntary code to promote responsible gambling practices in gambling industry • Desired outcomes • Individuals, community and gambling industry have common vision and shared understanding of responsible gambling practices • Gambling products and services are provided in a responsible manner • Customers make informed decisions about their gambling • Harm, as a result of gambling to individuals and community is minimised • People adversely affected by gambling have access to timely and appropriate assistance and information

Components of NCPG RG Code • Upon adoption of the Code, the operators must commit themselves to implementing and improving the practices contained in the Code: • Provision of Information • Potential risks associated with gambling, helpline numbers, odds of winning, nature of games and game rules • Interaction with Customers & Community • NCPG endorsed training on responsible gambling • NCPG referral protocol to refer problem gamblers to help services

Components of NCPG RG Code • Advertising and Promotions • Where allowed, advertisements should not promote gambling, be instructional, misleading or give persons the impression that gambling is an acceptable way to make money • Advertisements should not be targeted at young or vulnerable groups • Exclusion Provisions • Provision of self-exclusion option • Provision of information on gambling related help-services for those excluded • Persons to be excluded for at least a year • Annual Reporting of Key Indicators • Training of frontline and management staff on Responsible Gambling • Number of persons referred to for help • Number of applications for self-exclusion

Operators who have agreed to adopt the Code • Singapore Pools • Singapore Turf Club • Civil Service Club • Home Team NS • NTUC Club • SAFRA • The Grassroots’ Club • Club HDB • JOM-Clubhouse for Police Officers • MND Recreation Club • The People’s Association Staff Club • NTU Alumni Club

Moving Ahead: Key Focus Areas • Build up problem gambling support services • Support Public Education initiatives • Encourage local research on problem gambling • Be focal point of public feedback • Forge links with key stakeholders

Thank you

Plenary Session II: People-Sector Initiatives to Address Problem Gambling