Asia

More Singaporeans gambling but number of hardcore gamblers holds steady

Published

6 years ago

March 28, 2018

George Miller

More Singaporeans gambling but number of hardcore gamblers holds steady

Photo credits: ST

Reading Time: 3 minutes

More Singapore residents could be gambling and probable hardcore gamblers are betting much more than before, although their numbers have held steady, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) latest survey.

Probable hardcore gamblers – or probable pathological gamblers, those with the most severe form of the addiction – made up 0.1 per cent of the 3,000 Singapore residents aged 18 and above polled in the NCPG’s 2017 Gambling Participation survey.

The figure is slightly lower than the 0.2 per cent in the previous survey conducted in 2014.

Their median wagers, however, more than triple from S$80 to S$250 a month.

Together with the respondents who were likely problem gamblers – albeit not as serious as the probable pathological gamblers – they made up 0.9 per cent of the respondents, up slightly from 0.7 per cent in 2014.

However, the 2017 survey found that the share of people gambling had gone up. Those who said they had participated in at least one form of gambling in the preceding year increased from 44 per cent in 2014 to 52 per cent in 2017, bucking a decline seen since 2008.

Their median betting amounts also increased from S$20 in 2014, to S$30 last year.

The NCPG could not explain the increase in betting amounts but said the sums hardcore gamblers are putting down is a concern.

“(The probably pathological gamblers) have poor self-control… We should be concerned that (they) are gambling more because compared to the normal gambler, they are more likely to regret spending more money than (they planned to),” said the council.

The survey found a significant increase in proportion of those buying 4D, Toto and partaking in social gambling.

Chinese and males were found to have a higher gambling participation rate.

Addiction management expert Thomas Lee of The Resilienz Clinic said it is difficult to assess if amounts betted by his clients are excessive, but said their gambling becomes a problem when they bet more than they can afford to. This could mean betting their entire month’s salary or asking for advance salary to fund their gambling activities, he said.

The Resilienz Clinic is one of the NCPG’s appointed agencies for problem gamblers.

Some punters may be addicted to “soft” forms of gambling such as buying 4D and Toto, when they adopt distorted beliefs, such as the need to buy 4D when they encounter events out of the ordinary, such as a road accident, he said. They may become entrapped in the belief that they have to continue betting to recover the “investments” made previously, said Dr Lee, a consultant psychiatrist.

Last year, 12.5 per cent of those counselled by Credit Counselling Singapore cited gambling as one of the reasons for their debt, the charity said. This was due to either their own habit or someone else’s.

Meanwhile, the number of problem gamblers seen by One Hope Centre fluctuates yearly, but it helps about 200 to 300 clients each year, said general manager Joanna Kong.

The non-profit has seen a “noticeable increase” in the number of problem gamblers aged below 30 seeking help.

Given the long queues reported at lottery and sports betting operator Singapore Pools’ outlets, Ms Kong said she is not surprised that a larger proportion of Singaporeans are trying their luck with 4D or Toto.

“It is an avenue for people to gamble easily, with the convenience of these gambling outlets in the heartlands,” she said.

Awareness of avenues for help could be increasing, said the NCPG.

Those who gambled showed lower rates of “poor self-control”, while the number of calls or webchats from those needing help last year also fell by about 18 per cent when compared to 2016.

Source: todayonline.com

Asia

Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Onlyplay has entered into a strategic partnership with online casino and betting company Ritchie Rabbit within the Asia region.

Ritchie Rabbit is said to have “extensive expertise and deep understanding of the Asian market,” which helps Onlyplay as it seeks to expand its presence in the region.

Through this deal, Onlyplay will introduce a range of games and features designed specifically for the Asian gaming community.

Onlyplay offers a wide range of games such as instant win, slots and crash games, and will now provide games for players in Asia.

Christina Muratkina, CEO of Onlyplay, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to develop the Asian region alongside Ritchie Rabbit. We recognize the immense potential of the Asian market and are committed to delivering top-notch gaming content and experiences to players in the region. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our efforts to offer innovative and engaging games that resonate with our Asian audience.”

Asia

FBM(R) launches FBM E-Motion: the newest online gaming platform for the Philippines

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

FBM® kicks off a new chapter of its Champion journey in the Philippines with the launch of FBM E-Motion! The online gaming platform disclosed yesterday in the FBM Champion’s Night event held at Xylo at The Palace in Taguig marks a historic moment for the global gaming brand in its pursuit of redefining the gaming experience of Filipino players.

FBM E-Motion promises to change the way local players interact with the FBM games. The online casino games developed under the FBM Group are now available for players in the Philippines to enjoy anytime and anywhere. Whether it is a video bingo, a slots theme or a table game, Filipino gaming enthusiasts have the control in the palm of their hands to start joyful gaming sessions.

One platform, multiple benefits for the players

The FBM E-Motion introduction means significant improvements to the local players’ gaming experience in multiple areas. The game’s accessibility is more convenient, as customers can access the platform with any desktop or mobile device.

Besides the improved accessibility, FBM E-Motion offers more gaming options since players can have fun playing various game categories from different providers. With more variety of gaming choices comes thrilling gaming opportunities as FBM E-Motion keeps users engaged with regular promotional campaigns, jackpots and bonuses to conquer.

In terms of safety and reliability, FBM E-Motion guarantees the highest quality standards. The platform got the license from PAGCOR, and all gaming services offered follow the excellence standards practiced by the FBM brand in the land-based universe, meeting all the criteria regarding legality and compliance with gaming regulations.

FBM E-Motion can be described as a user-centric platform, due to the prioritization of users’ needs, preferences, and overall satisfaction through a 24/7 dedicated customer service available in bingo halls nationwide.

This platform also stands out as the only digital platform allowing Filipino players to enjoy FBM games online in the Philippines.

FBM E-Motion is a game changer in the Filipino online gaming landscape

The release of FBM E-Motion materializes a new entertainment era for the FBM Group in the Philippines. With this step, FBM adds a new layer of engagement with the players’ community, allowing customers to try their favorite FBM titles inside and outside bingo halls in ways that were not possible.

The user-friendly interface of FBM E-Motion facilitates smooth navigation, stimulating players to try a solution crafted with cutting-edge technologies, attending to the latest trends of innovation and entertainment in this Asian country. Players can immerse themselves in a diverse range of memorable gaming experiences with FBM® exclusive games and video bingos, slots or table games provided by different providers.

The launch of FBM® E-Motion kicks off FBM®’s journey in the world of online gaming in the Philippines. With its promise of innovation, excitement and accessibility, the platform is ready to captivate players and redefine the future of their gaming experiences.

Africa

Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

George Miller

Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Hub88 has partnered with live casino supplier LiveGames, further strengthening its product offering by adding a unique range of content to its platform.

LiveGames provides fully customisable online live dealer games and branded tables including the first vertical roulette table in the sector, along with crash games and the widely played Tombola.

The supplier delivers experiences with a player-focused design, easy to use mobile interface, and high-resolution broadcasts.

The partnership will support LiveGames’ goal to further expand in international markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America where Hub88 has a strong presence.

The deal showcases Hub88’s commitment to grow its ecosystem of partners, offering a diverse portfolio of products and content.

Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this strategic partnership with LiveGames which sees us add a great provider to our platform, one that utilises modern technology to offer bespoke and personalised gaming experiences to players.

“We are looking forward to collaborating and strengthening our content library with their diverse games.”

The LiveGames Team said: “Our journey started in a small studio and as a team, we are excited about now expanding to every corner of the world together with Hub88 and their extensive operator network.

“We are committed to promoting innovation in the industry and this partnership will support us on that mission.”