Government armed to protect domestic market against casino problems

Singapore must not normalise gambling in Singapore and must not make it a badge of honour, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

According to Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, the government has a comprehensive system for social safeguards. The system includes the ban on minors, the casino entry levy, the casino exclusion orders - which currently exclude about 33,000 people, disallowing gambling on credit, and having strict advertising and promotion rules.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said: "The casino operators know that we are prepared to act decisively, to stop them from targeting the domestic market."

"I don't want to be complacent, but I don't want members to run away with the idea that this thing has gone out of control. We are watching very, very closely, and if need be, we will strengthen the measures further," Dr Balakrishnan adds.