I feel that this is unethical as it targets mainly the housewives, the elderly and retirees, the very group of people who should be careful with their finances instead of squandering away their life savings in jackpot rooms.

My mother was a jackpot addict, having lost tens of thousands of dollars within a very short span of time.

During those times, she would have the maid, and the baby (in a pram) whom she was supposed to babysit, wait for hours for her outside the jackpot room.

It broke our hearts when we found out about this accidentally. However, by then it was too late. She had emptied her bank account and spent her monthly allowances feeding the one-armed bandits, even borrowing from friends.

My mother's gambling addiction nearly broke up our family as our efforts to try to help her led to many quarrels.

The family chipped in to settle her debts and we are glad that she has since stopped visiting the jackpot room, but we are still apprehensive as the temptation is just across the road. The club is opposite our HDB block.

NTUC Club's chief executive Chng Hee Kok was quoted as saying that getting rid of the machines will not stop people from taking their money elsewhere to play. However, the urge would be really difficult to resist when the temptation is right at your doorstep.

I appeal to the authorities to review this situation and take action to restrict the provision of jackpot machines, reportedly the most addictive form of gambling due to the speed of play.

Keep them away from the heartlands. The neighbourhood clubs are raking in revenue at the expense of many families breaking up.

Goh Li Lian (Mdm)