Holiday News Article 1

14 signed up for casino ban by their families


A part-time student, who is not even 21, is already on the run from loan sharks, having owned them " Tens of Thousands of dollars". The student, who bet on all sorts of games, started gambling in his teens and his parents could not do anything to stop him, said Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre ( FSC ) senior counsellor Charles Lee.

The student is one of the 14 people whose families have applied for them to be barred from the two casinos here which is currently still under construction. In the two months since families can apply their loved ones banned from gambling tables, close to 80 people have made enquiries with the Tanjong Pagar FSC on such " family exclusion orders " However, only 14 families have gone beyond enquiring about these orders to sitting through interviews with counsellors to share how the gambler's actions have hurt them, before such exclusion orders are issued.

Most of the 14 gamblers are chinese, male and aged between 31 and 60. Also, most of them hold at least O-level or higher qualifications. However, about half of them earn nothing at all or less than $500 a month.


Of the 14 gamblers, many of whom have been gambling for the past 20 or more years, not all were dragged screaming by their wives and other family members to see Mr Lee and his colleagues. Some like the soon-to-turn 21 year old youth, came willingly with their loved ones, said Mr Lee.



My opinions:


I think that the gamblers' families have done a right to ban their loved ones from the casino. If not, the gamblers would start to gamble uncontrollingly, soon, they would end up being bankrupt or depressed because of the lost of their money. As family members of the gamblers, they must help them get rid off the bad habit of gambling. By consulting Mr Lee and his colleagues, they not only help the gamblers to get rid of the bad habit, but also help them realise that they have such a caring famliy.

Therefore, I'm very grateful to such councils like the Tanjong Pagar FSC and also the National Council on Problem Gambling as they have helped many families help their loved ones get over gambling and live a better life.

I'm also glad that the 21 year old student was willing to turn over a new leaf and consult Mr Lee with his family.