Singapore measures to restrict access to online gambling sites

The Singapore government is studying measures to curb online gambling by restricting access to online gambling websites, a government minister said on Friday. Spreaking at the Casino Regulatory Authority's annual workplan seminar on Friday, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office S Iswaran said that the government shares the concerns within the community over the social risks associated with online gambling, which is highly accessible. The Ministry of Home Affairs has embarked on research with industry experts to study the issue and learn from the experience of other countries and regions, he said. "Online gambling is a new and potentially more addictive form of gambling, with greater access to the young and vulnerable," said Iswaran, who is also second minister for home affairs. The ministry will be working with the Home Team Behavioural Sciences Center to study the psychological profile of local casino gamblers, too. It will help the Casino Regulatory Authority better understand the gaming behaviors, attitudes and motivations of the gamblers to guide its work. Singapore inaugurated its two casino resorts in 2010 but put in place an entry levy for local residents and citizens in order to reduce their chances of getting addicted to gambling. The city state is now believed to be the world's second largest gaming market, next only to China's Macao.