THE article, 'More now see gambling as a way to get rich quickly' (ST, Nov 6), on problem gambling echoed a trend noticed by Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS).

The number of debt-distressed individuals citing gambling as a major cause of their indebtedness has grown, from 9 per cent in 2005 to 14 per cent last year and 25 per cent so far this year, as a proportion of all individuals counselled by CCS.

There is a large pool of debt-distressed individuals impoverished by their gambling addiction. The ratio could be larger than 25 per cent as there are many cases where the reasons cited do not adequately explain the large debts involved. It also excludes people forced to borrow money to bail out their gambling-addicted family members.

Almost all the resources devoted to problem gambling have gone into setting up counselling centres to help addicts deal with their pathological addictive behaviour. Given that an estimated 2 per cent of the population are problem gamblers, the number turning up for assistance at these centres has been disproportionately small and there is also a high dropout rate.

The main reason is that the gambler finds no help with his one pressing problem - his debts. Many gamblers thus fail to see the benefits of treatment and in fact may rack up more debts in a bid to recover their losses.

However, gambling addicts have found it useful to come to CCS, which can help them find solutions to their financial problems.

There should be a comprehensive approach to combating compulsive gambling. Gambling becomes a problem if it is funded by debt, and no amount of counselling can be effective if these debt problems are unresolved.

The key message should be that it is wrong to borrow to gamble. Being in debt this way will put the gambler and his family at risk.

Kuo How Nam
President
Credit Counselling Singapore