Singapore to Intensify Public Education Efforts on Problem Gambling During World Cup

Why It Matters

The stepped-up outreach aims to reduce acute financial and social harm as World Cup betting spikes, protect financially vulnerable people, and ease pressure on treatment services by encouraging early intervention and use of exclusion measures. This signals a policy push to balance recreational betting with public-health safeguards ahead of a high-risk sporting period.

Summary

Singapore will intensify public-education efforts to curb problem gambling during the World Cup, launching a campaign video across TV, digital and social media and placing messaging near betting outlets such as MRT stations, petrol stations and supermarkets. Authorities and treatment providers report a rise in younger people seeking help—Care Community Services recorded a 30% increase in referrals from 2024 to 2025, with clients increasingly aged 20–40 and some as young as 16. The campaign highlights signs of gambling harm, promotes self-exclusion and other safeguards (including a minimum age of 18 for in-person bets and bans on betting on credit), and directs people to support services and a helpline. Officials warned that social betting during major sports seasons normalizes risk and can mask developing addiction within friend and family groups.

Original Description

Singapore will intensify public education efforts to prevent problem gambling during the World Cup, which starts in a few days. A campaign video cautioning against excessive betting will be screened during matches, as well as across digital and social media platforms. As for overall gambling addiction, WE CARE Community Services has seen an increase of 30% of those seeking help from 2024 to 2025. Nadine Yeam reports.