Responsible Gaming at Singapore Pools
In the last financial year, Singapore Pools collected a record $12.2 billion in bets. This is its highest turnover ever, a spokesperson told The Straits Times. Of this, 70% were returned to winners and the rest was redirected to charity and sports funding. Its operating costs accounted for just 3% of the total.
To counteract the proliferation of illegal gambling, Singapore Pools launched a series of initiatives to promote responsible gaming. One of these was to implement digital signage throughout its outlets and branches. Through this, they could display event messages, lottery and betting updates. To do this, they used PADS4 and the XML data connection, which lets them easily import and display realtime gaming and betting data.
Another initiative was the launch of PoolzConnect, a free service for customers who want to place bets via their mobile devices or IP-based telephones. The service automatically credits winnings to a pre-approved bank account. This has helped to reduce operational risks and ensures that winnings are transferred promptly. It has also enabled more people to participate in the game, especially those who do not have access to online platforms.
The organisation also took steps to stay ahead of the latest trends in the gaming industry, which have led to an increase in online gambling activity. To address this, Singapore Pools implemented Oracle Cloud Observability and Management (OCI) to provide better visibility into the IT environment and improve troubleshooting. This has allowed them to resolve issues within minutes, compared to hours previously.
In addition, the company has stepped up efforts to train staff on responsible gaming. The training programme consists of e-learning modules, workshops and role plays to equip staff with the skills and knowledge to help them spot signs of problem gambling. It has also introduced a range of responsible gaming tools, such as online awareness materials and posters.
Despite these initiatives, there is still a lot of work to be done. For instance, it is important to keep the pool water clean, which is challenging due to the high levels of ammonia. This comes from sweat, urine and sunscreen lotions, as well as cosmetic products. According to Marchwood Laboratory Services technical manager Tan Thuan Piang, these can cause infections such as dermatitis, ear infections and urinary tract infections in swimmers.
Despite this, the company is optimistic about the future and hopes to continue to expand its footprint in the country. It is currently looking to develop new channels, including a new online platform. In order to do this, it is collaborating with iShine Cloud, which will allow them to manage their data securely. It is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to identify patterns in customer behaviour and offer relevant content. This will enable them to build a more personalized and engaging experience for their customers. In this way, they can stay ahead of the competition and increase their market share. This will also lead to higher profitability. In addition, they are also looking into the use of blockchain technology to facilitate the exchange of bets.