Catholic Church concerned about ‘gambling culture’ deepening in Singapore
Archbishop William Goh. Photo: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
A second major religious organisation has expressed reservations about the forthcoming move to allow online gambling in Singapore.
The Catholic Church is concerned about the possible ill-effects to Singapore society of a more pervasive gambling culture, even though it sees gambling as morally neutral, Archbishop William Goh said in a pastoral message to the faithful on Wednesday (12 October).
The head of the Catholic Church in Singapore also urged authorities to continuously monitor the gambling situation here, as well as the safeguards put in place against excessive gambling.
Goh’s comments come after the National Council of Churches Singapore (NCSS) said last week that the government was sending “confusing and conflicting signals”, having passed the Remote Gambling Act – which banned online and phone betting – just two years ago, in 2014.
Over the next two months, lottery operators Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club will launch online gambling products after getting exemptions from the Act.
In response to NCSS, Minister for Social Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin said last week that the move aims to create a “managed space” and offer a “safer alternative” for those looking to place online bets.
Archbishop Goh addressed “the impending invasion of this potential vice into the sacred space of our homes” by noting that the effects of excessive gambling go beyond the individual gamblers to entire families.
“Family life and loving marriages can be destroyed or disrupted by the loss of income which could lead to stress, other mental health issues and even suicide,” said Goh.
“While we maintain that gambling is morally neutral, any adverse effects on our people need to be carefully considered, since not all gamblers are able to make prudent or conscientious judgement of their actions – most or all of the time.”
Goh also acknowledged that “the Government has done its due diligence to ensure that stringent measures are put in place to minimize the ill-effects of online gambling.”
Notwithstanding the Church’s reservations on the matter, it recognised “the Government’s dilemma in tackling this highly sensitive and controversial issue that continues to plague modern society.”
