Founded in 1965, Singapore Pools is the nation’s only legal lottery and sports betting operator. Its roster of games includes the popular 4-D and Toto, as well as Singapore Sweep, football betting and horse racing. In its latest financial year, the company reported $12.2 billion in total bets, its highest-ever turnover.
Despite the popularity of these gambling activities, experts warn that a blanket ban could drive them underground and put more money in the hands of illegal bookmakers and triads. To avoid this, experts recommend that people consider their gambling habits and apply responsible betting strategies like research, bankroll management and leveraging odds.
However, counseling counsellors say the ease and convenience of placing bets via mobile devices could also be fuelling the growing sums wagered by punters. “When you have the option of placing bets on anything anytime, anywhere, it becomes more addictive,” says Zen Goh, a counselor with Arise2Care Community Services. “People think they can bet small and win big, so the addiction starts to grow.”
Moreover, the popularity of football matches could also explain why Singapore Pools’ revenue has increased. The company offers a range of different football leagues, including the English Premier League and the Malaysian cup. This means that punters can place bets on any team they want, regardless of whether they know much about the teams involved. Counsellors add that this type of casual gambling is especially dangerous because it does not require a lot of skill or knowledge to win.
A Singapore Pools spokesperson told The Straits Times that the last financial year’s $12.2 billion in bets is the highest it has ever recorded. Its turnover is mainly made up of bets on its four-digit lottery game Toto, and on football betting and horse races. The organisation is a subsidiary of the Tote Board, a statutory board under the Ministry of Finance, which channels operating surplus from gambling revenue to various initiatives in the community.
The organisation’s roster of products has grown over the years, with new offerings including the Quick Pick option and Toto Hongbao draws. The company’s recent decision to use Oracle’s cloud observability and management platform, aims to boost its digital capability. It will be able to monitor the performance and availability of applications, as well as identify problems quickly. This will help to reduce application downtime and improve the overall customer experience.
Aside from its legal and regulated status, Singapore Pools is also known for its transparency and commitment to responsible gambling. The company publishes its winning numbers on a daily basis, and its staff are trained to deal with any issues that may arise. In addition, it provides free self-help materials and counselling services to its players. This is a key part of its responsible gambling strategy, and is in line with the Singapore government’s mandate to promote healthy and balanced gaming. Its efforts have led to a significant reduction in problem gambling among Singaporeans, with the number of new cases falling significantly in recent years.
