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Low-income gamblers who bet large amounts have increased, according to a survey conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
Their monthly average betting amount of more than $1,000 has increased from 0 to 0.8 per cent in 2008 to 2 per cent in 2011.
The survey said the overall median monthly betting amount fell from $100 in 2008 to $40 in 2011.
But the average amount rose from $176 to $212 over the same period, especially for low-income gamblers.
The survey found that probable pathological gamblers gambled more frequently - 68 per cent gambled at least once a week compared to 43 per cent for all gamblers.
A pathological gambler is someone who cannot resist impulses to gamble.
Poorer self-control in gambling was detected among those who participated in horse racing, online and casino gambling.
The survey also found that 47 per cent of Singapore residents aged 18-years-old and above have participated in some form of gambling activity over a one year period, compared to 54 per cent in the 2008 survey.
However, the proportion of Singapore residents who show signs of addictive gambling has remained largely unchanged.
The probable pathological gambling rate for 2011 is 1.4 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent in 2008.
The probable problem gambling rate for 2011 is 1.2 per cent, compared to 1.7 per cent in 2008.
The difference in percentage points can be attributed to random fluctuation.
The findings, derived from a survey of 3,315 Singapore residents, were made public on Thursday by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Chan Chun Sing said: "The survey findings from the NCPG's 2011 Survey on participation in gambling activities among Singapore residents showed that the overall gambling participation and probable pathological and problem gambling rates remained stable. But we should never be complacent".
He added that MCYS will look into measures to address these concerns.
"We will consider expanding third-party casino exclusions to cover more groups of Singaporeans who are receiving financial assistance, beyond Public Assistance recipients and bankrupts.
"We are also studying circuit breakers to address locals with poor self control and at risk of financial and other harms due to gambling. Casinos in Holland, Austria and Australia have measures which we intend to study."
A local news report explained that circuit breakers work by placing limits on betting machines and getting casinos to form dedicated teams of in-house experts on problem gambling.
Mr Chan said these new safeguards may be implemented over the next few months, in consultation with stakeholders.
Mr Chan also revealed that some 200,000 Singaporeans visited the two casinos here in 2011.
However, the number of domestic casino gamblers at each of the casinos dropped from 2010 to 2011.
The Straits Times reported that at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casino, the number of local gamblers fell by 31.7 per cent from 199,783 in 2010 to 136,434 last year.
For the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino, the number dropped by 8.9 per cent from 150,691 in 2010 to 137,259 last year.
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Their monthly average betting amount of more than $1,000 has increased from 0 to 0.8 per cent in 2008 to 2 per cent in 2011.
The survey said the overall median monthly betting amount fell from $100 in 2008 to $40 in 2011.
But the average amount rose from $176 to $212 over the same period, especially for low-income gamblers.
The survey found that probable pathological gamblers gambled more frequently - 68 per cent gambled at least once a week compared to 43 per cent for all gamblers.
A pathological gambler is someone who cannot resist impulses to gamble.
Poorer self-control in gambling was detected among those who participated in horse racing, online and casino gambling.
The survey also found that 47 per cent of Singapore residents aged 18-years-old and above have participated in some form of gambling activity over a one year period, compared to 54 per cent in the 2008 survey.
However, the proportion of Singapore residents who show signs of addictive gambling has remained largely unchanged.
The probable pathological gambling rate for 2011 is 1.4 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent in 2008.
The probable problem gambling rate for 2011 is 1.2 per cent, compared to 1.7 per cent in 2008.
The difference in percentage points can be attributed to random fluctuation.
The findings, derived from a survey of 3,315 Singapore residents, were made public on Thursday by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Chan Chun Sing said: "The survey findings from the NCPG's 2011 Survey on participation in gambling activities among Singapore residents showed that the overall gambling participation and probable pathological and problem gambling rates remained stable. But we should never be complacent".
He added that MCYS will look into measures to address these concerns.
"We will consider expanding third-party casino exclusions to cover more groups of Singaporeans who are receiving financial assistance, beyond Public Assistance recipients and bankrupts.
"We are also studying circuit breakers to address locals with poor self control and at risk of financial and other harms due to gambling. Casinos in Holland, Austria and Australia have measures which we intend to study."
A local news report explained that circuit breakers work by placing limits on betting machines and getting casinos to form dedicated teams of in-house experts on problem gambling.
Mr Chan said these new safeguards may be implemented over the next few months, in consultation with stakeholders.
Mr Chan also revealed that some 200,000 Singaporeans visited the two casinos here in 2011.
However, the number of domestic casino gamblers at each of the casinos dropped from 2010 to 2011.
The Straits Times reported that at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casino, the number of local gamblers fell by 31.7 per cent from 199,783 in 2010 to 136,434 last year.
For the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino, the number dropped by 8.9 per cent from 150,691 in 2010 to 137,259 last year.
[email protected]
