RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

Marina Bay Sands will enforce an entry levy for all Singapore citizens and permanent residents seeking admission to the casino. The entry levy is set at S$150 for 24 consecutive hours and S$3,000 for a one-year period.

The Singapore Government and Marina Bay Sands support the Casino Exclusion Programme to assist those people who would like to stop gambling but have difficulty doing so. With this Programme, exclusion from casinos can take on one of these forms:

• Self-exclusion – Voluntary exclusion of a gambler from the casino
• Family-exclusion – Family exclusion of a gambler from the casino
• Third party-exclusion – Undischarged bankrupts and people receiving financial aid from the Singapore Government are automatically excluded from entering the casinos in Singapore. 
• Voluntary Visit Limit – Limits visits to the casino per month.
• Family Visit Limit – Limits the number of times a person in their family can visit the casino in a calendar month
• Third Party Visit Limit – Limits visits on individuals who are frequent local casino patrons and deemed by the Government to be financially vulnerable.
  

If you would like more information on any of the forms of exclusion and visit limits mentioned above, go to www.ncpg.org.sg.

• The machine hasn’t paid out for a while – it’s due for a win.”
• If I play a bit longer, I’ll win back my losses.
• I have a sure win strategy.
• The game is all about skill.
• I am an experienced gambler. I know what I am doing.
• If I follow my rituals, I am more likely to win.
• Playing with your loyalty club cards decreases your chances of winning.
• Slot machines pay out when they are hot.
• Playing more than one machine at a time increases your chances of winning.
• Casino personnel can help you find slot machine that will pay.

The examples above are all common misconceptions that gamblers may have about gambling. Gambling myths and superstitions are fiction, not fact and if you believe in any of these, you may find yourself spending more than you planned on gambling.

If you are having difficulty with your gambling behaviour, seek help. Marina Bay Sands encourages you to contact a Responsible Gambling Ambassador, email the Responsible Gambling team at Marina Bay Sands on responsiblegambling@marinabaysands.com or visit the NCPG on 1800-6-668-668 or www.ncpg.org.sg.

Here is a quick check:

• Do you think about gambling every day?
• Do you hide your gambling from loved ones?
• Do you ever borrow money to gamble?
• Do you let bills go unpaid?
• Is your gambling affecting your work or your role as a parent?
• Do you think you can use skill to win on a gaming machine?
• Do you gamble to forget your problems?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be having difficulties with your gambling behaviour.*

*(source: Gambler’s Help brochure ‘Concerned about your gambling?’ 2014)

Alternatively, you may choose to take an online self-help tool  to better understand your gambling behaviour.

SIGNS OF PROBLEMATIC GAMBLING BEHAVIOUR

Most experts agree that there is currently no reliable way to identify problem gamblers just by looking at them; however, it is important for each patron to know some warning signs. These warning signs may include, but are not limited to:

• Preoccupation with gambling
• Gambling with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the same level of excitement
• Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
• Gambling as a way to escape from problems, or to relieve guilt, anxiety or depression
• Returning to chase losses after losing money gambling
• Lying to conceal the extent of gambling
• Jeopardising or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
• Relying on others to provide money when in a desperate financial situation due to gambling

If you or someone you know experiences difficulties related to gambling, please call the National Council of Problem Gambling helpline for confidential assistance at 1800-6-668-668, or visit www.ncpg.org.sg for more information.

ALL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING PROGRAMMES ARE CONFIDENTIAL

Details of a patron’s entry in any Responsible Gambling Programme will remain confidential at all times. If you think you may have difficulties with your gambling behaviours, Marina Bay Sands encourages you to contact a Responsible Gambling Ambassador, email the Responsible Gambling team at Marina Bay Sands on responsiblegambling@marinabaysands.com or visit the NCPG on 1800-6-668-668 or www.ncpg.org.sg.

National Council on Problem Gambling

The National Problem Gambling Helpline is the government funded help service. The helpline is manned by trained counsellors and para-counsellors from the National Addictions Management Service.

Call the helpline for the following services:

• Over the phone counselling for problem gamblers and also family members
• Information and referrals for help services
• Information on casino exclusions and visit limits
• Information about Responsible Gambling
• For problem gambling counselling and treatment
  
  

Operating hours: Daily 8.00am – 11.00pm (includes Public Holidays)
Helpline: 1800-6-668-668
Website: www.ncpg.org.sg

For information on varying visit limits or revocation of exclusion: 6354-8154

Operating hours:         
8.30am – 6.00pm (Monday to Friday)
8.30am – 1.00pm (Saturdays)
(Excludes Public Holidays)

The National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)

NAMS provides assessment and treatments for problem gambling and other behavioural addictions such as alcohol, drugs, gaming and internet. It also offers individual, group and family therapy, public education talks and training for health care and social service professionals.

Address: Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, NAMS Clinic – Basement, Blk 9, Singapore 539747

Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8.00am – 5.30pm
Friday: 8.00am – 5.00pm
(Closed on weekends and Public Holidays)

Tel: 6-RECOVER (6732 6837) Daily: 8.00am – 11.00pm (includes Public Holidays)

Website: www.nams.sg

WE CARE Community Services

WE CARE Community Services is an addiction recovery centre which provides evidence-based counselling support and treatment programmes for all forms of addiction.

Address: Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub, 11 Jalan Ubi, Block 5, #01-41, Singapore 409074.

E-mail: help@wecare.org.sg

Tel: 6547 5459 (all calls will be answered by professional counsellors)

Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS)

CCS aims to assist indebted individuals resolve their debt problems and educate members of public on financial literacy via various approaches, including talks on debt management and the setup of a debt management programme.

Address: 210 Middle Road, #05-04, Singapore 188994

Tel: 6225 5227

Operating hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays)

Email: enquiry@ccs.org.sg

Website: www.ccs.org.sg

Arise2care

Arise2care is a gambling addiction recovery centre which provides recovery programme for individuals and families affected by gambling.

Address: No 5 Harper Road, #02-01/A, Singapore 369673 (Next to Tai Seng MRT Exit B)

Tel: 6909 0628

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am to 6pm, Wednesday night: 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Email: admin@arise2care.sg

Website: https://arise2care.sg/

For more information on the operation and regulation of casinos in Singapore, please refer to the Casino Control Act (Cap. 33A) at the following link: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CCA2006