Singapore Reports Lowest Gambling Rates Since 2005
A survey conducted by Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has found that the country’s gambling participation rate in 2023 among adult residents dropped to its lowest level since tracking began in 2005.
People gambling in a casino. Gambling participation in Singapore reaches a historic low.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Participants in the survey are guaranteed confidentiality in order to encourage honest responses, and it also found that probable pathological and problem gambling (PPG) rates remain low and steady at approximately 1.1%.
The NCPG survey is conducted every three years, and it assesses gambling behavior among Singapore residents aged 18 and older. The latest survey involved 3,007 randomly selected individuals and was conducted from July 2023 to March 2024, achieving a 73 percent response rate.
Related: Updated Gambling Laws Take Effect in Singapore
Steady Decline in Gambling Participation
The results, released Thursday, show a decline in gambling participation, with 40% of respondents admitting to engaging in at least one form of gambling. This is a decrease from 44% in 2020 and 52% in 2017. The 2023 figure represents the lowest recorded participation rate since the surveys began.
The data also suggested stability in the rates of probable pathological and problem gamblers, with the former remaining at 0.2% and the latter around 1%. This is consistent with previous surveys from 2017 and 2020. The overall PPG rate held steady at 1.1%, leading the NCPG to state, “This is indicative that our social safeguards continue to work.”
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Increase in Illegal Online Gambling
Lottery games remained the most popular form of gambling, with most participants using legal channels. However, the survey found an increase in illegal online gambling, with 1% of respondents admitting to it, which is a rise of 0.7% compared to 2020.
The increase is aligned with the rising trends in online gambling globally. We note an increasing trend in illegal online gambling and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will also strengthen public education efforts to address people’s perceptions on online gambling.
The median monthly gambling expenditure among respondents rose to SGD25, a 67% increase from SGD15 in the 2020 survey. Despite this rise, the figure remains below the SGD30 median recorded in 2017.
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