29,000 to be banned from Singapore casinos

When the first casino at Marina Bay opens in the third quarter of next year, some 29,000 Singaporeans will find themselves banned from walking through its doors.

The National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) will be accepting applications for casino exclusion orders come next January. Families may also apply for their members to be excluded. Upon application, both the family member and the person to be excluded will have to attend counselling before a committee of assessors, who will then determine if the exclusion order should be issued.

60 grassroots and social service professionals have been shortlisted to join this panel of assessors so far. Each accessing team include two of the above mentioned candidates as well as a member of the NCPG.

Casino exclusion orders are issued by the NCPG under the Casino Control Act. The NCPG is expected to launch an extensive public education campaign on casino exclusion next year.