Gambling island : a look at Singapore Pools and its role on gambling in Singapore society

Abstract

This paper tries to explore the reasons for the persistence of gambling in Singapore, where a large percentage of the population continues to gamble despite intense regulation and control. In my study, I first outline the 2 categories of gambling that exists in Singapore: institutional gambling (legally sanctioned by the State) and social gambling (private gambling by Singaporeans that the State tolerates). I then highlight the role of Singapore Pools, a state-owned lottery subsidiary which I argue strengthened both institutional gambling and social gambling in relation to Singaporeans. This is done through a historical analysis of how the State’s view of gambling created the conditions necessary for Singapore Pools to flourish. Through qualitative research, I then try to show that Singapore Pools has managed to “diffuse” itself into the daily lives of Singaporeans, blurring the lines between institutional gambling and social gambling and further sustaining both institutional gambling as well as social gambling.