Yesterday Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced that it is ready to accept applications for Family Exclusion Orders with immediate effect. These have been introduced so that relatives can apply to have family members banned from entering the country’s two casinos, due to open later this year and in 2010. Such an application must be made at the Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre and be approved by counsellors and an appointed committee, who must be convinced that a ban is necessary.

Mr Lim Hock San, Chairman of the NCPG said: “The Family Exclusion empowers family members to help problem gamblers within their family. Wishing the problem away, excusing the gambling addiction, bailing problem gamblers out repeatedly, or suffering in silence, will only prolong family agony. Problem gamblers can be helped. Family members should not feel helpless or hopeless, or guilty of the choice they make in the best interest of the family unit.”

Other measures intended to discourage problem gambling will be implemented this year. An entry fee at the casinos will be imposed on local residents and undischarged bankrupts and those receiving public assistance will be barred. Voluntary self exclusion orders will be introduced as well as third-party exclusion orders. Singapore will be the first country to use third-party exclusion orders and estimates that around 29,000 people will find they have been barred from the casinos.

The NCPG has the authority under the Casino Control Act to issue casino exclusion orders. It is an independent council comprising 20 members with expertise in public communications, psychiatry and psychology, social services, counselling, legal, rehabilitative as well as religious services. The NCPG will be releasing details of the other two types of Casino Exclusion in the second half of 2009. (E-04.02.09)

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