Migrant workers trapped by casino debt

As soon as his bi-weekly salary of $650 came to his hand, migrant worker Mani Arockiyasamy rushed to the Marina Bay Sands casino with $300 in hand and a target in mind.

With the aim of doubling his money, the 34-year-old from India, who works as a safety coordinator at a worksite, made a beeline for the craps game (where players bet on the outcome of a roll of dice).

In under an hour, his $300 was lost, and Mr Arockiyasamy headed for the ATM to draw the remainder of his wages. Eventually, he lost that too.

This wasn't just a one-off incident but a recurring occurrence for him back in 2016. Back then, to feed his casino addiction, he borrowed money from friends under the pretense of going for courses, and by 2019, he was over $10,000 in debt.

"After gambling at the casino, I wouldn't have any money to take a taxi, so I would walk from Marina Bay all the way to Little India, where I would sleep at the MRT station," said Mr Arockiyasamy.

"I had so many sleepless nights because of gambling. After I fell into debt, no one at home or outside respected me. I felt ashamed."

It was only due to a timely intervention from his older brother, who confiscated his bank card and settled most of his debts, that Mr Arockiyasamy quit gambling. He went to the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) help centre in Serangoon Road, where he applied for a "casino self-exclusion", which banned him from entering all casino premises.

Mr Arockiyasamy's case is not an isolated one among migrant workers.

According to the National Council On Problem Gambling (NCPG), as at Dec 31, 2023, "more than 155,000 active foreign workers are on casino self-exclusion" - 10 per cent of the over 1.5 million foreign workers in Singapore that year, including Employment Pass, S Pass and work permit holders.

The exclusion lasts for at least one year.

Today, Mr Arockiyasamy said he has finally kicked the gambling habit for good, and wants to help others recover from their gambling addiction.

"I regret that I lost contact with some of the people I still owe money to. I feel guilty about that even now," he said.

Self-exclusion from casino premises is an option that migrant worker Elangovan Subbiah, 39, said he is mulling over.

The lorry driver stepped into a casino for the first time in 2023 "just for the fun of it". Enticed by the roulette table and wheel, he placed small bets of $25 at first, but by the time he left the premises, he had lost around $1,400.

Eager to recoup his losses, Mr Subbiah returned to the casino shortly after and gambled from "morning to night". On his second visit, he won $1,000 - but on his third attempt, he lost $1,600.

"For 12 years, I did not even know where the casino was. I did not even think of going," Mr Subbiah told tabla!

"But once you start gambling, whether you can limit your losses depends on your own mindset. I know of someone who worked here and sold off his land in India to repay his gambling debts."

As for the self-exclusion option, Mr Subbiah said: "It is our own responsibility to exercise self-control in gambling, rather than signing up for a forcible ban."

"What could also deter migrant workers from gambling at a casino is a $50 entry levy."

Currently, casinos charge a daily entry levy of $150 and annual entry levy of $3,000 - but it applies only to Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

In response to this suggestion, NCPG chairman Sim Gim Guan said: "Our safeguards, including the casino entry levy, are primarily targeted at protecting locals from the potential harms of casino gambling.

"Nonetheless, we recognise that problem gambling can affect foreign workers as well, which is why we have also extended other social safeguards and conduct public education to them.

"For foreign workers, in particular work permit holders who tend to have lower wages, NCPG works with MOM, MWC, various companies employing foreign workers and dormitory operators to educate and encourage their foreign workers to apply for self-exclusion from gambling venues."

A Ministry of Manpower spokesperson said that the ministry's Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group works closely with various stakeholders to educate migrant workers on prudent financial management practices and the risks of gambling.

"This is done through channels such as the Settling-In Programme for migrant workers and regular engagement talks," the spokesperson said.

Through the NCPG portal, one can apply for self-exclusion from gambling at casinos, jackpot machine rooms at private clubs and Singapore Pools online betting. Singaporeans and PRs can also apply for a voluntary visit limit to casinos.

Individuals or families who need help with gambling issues can call the NCPG Helpline at 1800-6-668-668 or use the Webchat service at ncpg.org.sg