More gambling addicts seeking help

More gambling addicts seeking help

SINGAPORE: The number of gambling addicts who sought help last year increased by 30 per cent compared to 2010.

And they are getting younger.

The Tanjong Pagar Family Centre was appointed by the National Council for Problem Gambling to help gambling addicts.

According to the centre, more youths from ages 18 to 21 are seeking counselling.

Last year, there were 520 casino-related crime cases - an increase of about 12 per cent.

Charles Lee, senior counsellor at Tanjong Pagar Family Centre, said: "Addiction is not something by choice; many times it is compulsive behaviour and that is why the addicts risk everything they have just to have the high of winning, the excitement of gambling. So the best way is to educate families on how they can impact the addict so it will cause the addict to come in for treatment."

- CNA/cc