life (gambling) goes on even with coronavirus

[StreetFight3r]

 

SINGAPORE (THE NEW PAPER) - As the Covid-19 pandemic grips the world, claiming thousands of lives daily, some have decided to turn the crisis into a game.

Illegal gambling websites are targeting punters in Singapore and other countries by offering the option of betting on the daily number of cases.

The New Paper found at least five such sites, all of which have a similar betting interface.

The sites encourage punters to place bets on the last digit of the number of daily new cases announced by Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Punters can also bet on whether the number is even or odd, and if the latest number in the respective countries is higher than the previous day's.

ODDS AND RESULTS

The daily odds and results are displayed with other sports betting options and appear to have taken on more prominence than football betting, the usual mainstay of such sites.

Psychiatrists who spoke to The New Paper said that while they had not expected gamblers to bet on coronavirus cases, they were not surprised.

Dr Adrian Wang, a psychiatrist and counsellor at Gleneagles Medical Centre, said problem gamblers would turn to any avenue, including illegal ones, to feed their addiction.

"The act of gambling triggers pleasure centres in the brain, releasing neurochemicals that give them a sense of reward and satisfaction," he said.

"They need this regular fix. Like an alcoholic who suddenly finds himself unable to afford whisky and has to settle for cheap rice wine, problem gamblers who can't bet in the casino or on suspended soccer games... will take what's available."

The betting options on Covid-19 cases surfaced after the suspension of legal betting outlets in Singapore.

The two casinos, Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club have suspended operations since the circuit breaker period began on April 7.

Measures to fight the pandemic, such as movement restrictions, have also made many punters turn to online gambling services.

A recent study by analytics group AlphaBeta in Australia found that online gambling there has shot up by more than 65 per cent since last month.

Similarly, website Global Poker noted a 43 per cent rise in the use of similar sites in the United States, with a 255 per cent increase in first-time users, gaming news site Inside Asian Gaming reported.

As remote gambling is regulated in Singapore, a police spokesman told TNP that firm action will be taken against anyone found to be involved in illegal gambling.

"The police are aware of betting activities relating to the number of daily Covid-19 cases and are looking into the matter," she added.

Stressing that online betting contravenes the Remote Gambling Act, she said the police take a serious view of all forms of illegal remote gambling and will take tough enforcement action against offenders.

Under the Act, those caught using an illegal remote gambling service can be fined up to $5,000, or jailed for up to six months, or both.

Anyone who provides such an illegal service, whether from Singapore or overseas, can be fined up to $200,000, or jailed for up to five years, or both.

Even with tough penalties and the dark reality of what they are betting on, problem gamblers are unlikely to be deterred, said Dr Munidasa Winslow, senior consultant psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare.

Noting that such people will find a way to gamble in some form even when deprived of legal means, he said: "If they don't have Singapore Pools, they will turn to online bookies and anyone else who is willing to take a bet.

"Betting on the number of daily Covid-19 cases is dark, but in the mind of a gambler, it's just another avenue for what they claim is a game of skill."

He added that problem gamblers will delude themselves and may even be spurred on by betting on distasteful topics.

Dr Winslow said some of them may see this as adding to the thrill, so they will "bet on deaths, or when a serial killer will be caught, a lot of strange things".

"Even if they are gambling on people's lives, they will make that bet if someone is willing to accept it."

[mersaylee]

That’s what I told my wife when they started SD measures everywhere including SingPool outlets and kopitiam...

sitting apart at KPT still can place bet one...bet on the next one to join the queue at the ayam stall a male or female, a boy or a girl, what race, what colour of the clothes etc etc...plenty of bet types sure to surface like the different Soccer bet types available at SP...

 

[Angcheek]

Everyone gambling in the SGX ........ why no fine 😂

 

 

[Albeniz]

1 minute ago, Angcheek said:

Everyone gambling in the SGX ........ why no fine 😂

 

 

Ahem... What gamble?

我們可是正當的生意人， ok?,😁

[Ody_2004]

1 minute ago, Albeniz said:

Ahem... What gamble?

我們可是正當的生意人， ok?,😁

Errr.. like making wrong call wrong decision? whahahahahaha.. 

[Kezg1]

39 minutes ago, mersaylee said:

That’s what I told my wife when they started SD measures everywhere including SingPool outlets and kopitiam...

sitting apart at KPT still can place bet one...bet on the next one to join the queue at the ayam stall a male or female, a boy or a girl, what race, what colour of the clothes etc etc...plenty of bet types sure to surface like the different Soccer bet types available at SP...

 

.. Chinese is keow kwee...can bet on anything.. Hehe.. I'm Chinese too

[StreetFight3r]

made a small bet for "fun" (not that it was fun) with colleagues too when cases were in the 50 to 90 range. everyone pool $1 each among 4.. closest to the confirmed cases of the day gets to take back $4. now, dont dare to bet anymore. cursing ourselves..

[kobayashiGT]

will the govt be in cahoots with the bookie arh? 🤣

[mersaylee]

1 hour ago, Kezg1 said:

.. Chinese is keow kwee...can bet on anything.. Hehe.. I'm Chinese too

I bet you’re having withdrawal symptoms like me...😁

[Ody_2004]

4 hours ago, croydon said:

During this period I think that gambling is a very good way to earn some money.

I guess @RadX be interested..

[Windwaver]

https://mustsharenews.com/lotteries-sports-betting/

S’pore Punters Spent S$9.2b On Lotteries & Sports Betting In 12 Months After Covid-19 Measures Eased

Singapore Punters Spent S$9.2 Billion On Lotteries & Sports Betting In Financial Year Ending Mar 2022

During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Singapore Pools outlets were closed as a precautionary measure to the dismay of some punters.

But since the easing of Covid-19 measures, it seems punters have had no issues resuming their betting routine.

According to the Tote Board, S$9.2 billion was spent on lotteries and sports betting in the financial year ending Mar 2022.

This is the largest sum placed on such bets in the last 10 years and amounts to a 40% increase from the previous financial year’s figure.

S$9.2 billion spent on lotteries & sports betting, the largest figure in 10 years

According to The Straits Times (ST), S$9.2 billion was spent on lottery and sports bets in Tote Board’s last financial year, which ended in Mar 2022.

This is a 40% increase from the S$6.6 billion recorded in the previous financial year that ended in Mar 2021.

Interestingly, this is the largest sum placed on such bets over the past decade.

Quoting a Tote Board spokesperson, ST reports that the amount placed on lotteries and sporting bets increased since the easing of Covid-19 measures.

However, it wasn’t that long ago when Singapore Pools outlets, Singapore Turf Club, and the two casinos halted operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

More punters expected to seek help after Qatar World Cup

Speaking to ST, counsellors provided some information and context that might explain the increased amounts placed on such bets.

One expert pointed out that as Covid-19 measures eased worldwide, there were more football matches that punters could place bets on.

Others familiar with the subject also pointed out how convenient it is to place bets online, and that some of their clients have placed more bets as a result of this added convenience.

Perhaps, most worryingly, counsellors are reportedly expecting to see a surge in punters seeking help for their debts and gambling issues after the end of the World Cup on 18 Dec.

If you or anyone you know struggles with gambling addiction, do not hesitate to reach out to the National Council on Problem Gambling via their hotline at 1800-6-668-668.

[Tohto]

Huat already after solo win 10million Toto can half retired why not.... small investment is necessary. 😂😂😁😁

Edited December 7, 2022 by Tohto

[Jman888]

what recession?

 

[inlinesix]

COVID stress la

[mersaylee]

Holiday monies saved during covid  spent on social philanthropy thru SP...hokay lah...im a regular donor...😂