Don't Ban Foreign Workers From Entering Casinos

A version of this letter was published in The Straits Times on 20 November 2010.

I refer to the recent spate of letters and articles about foreign workers and gambling. There are almost one million migrant workers on work permit in Singapore. Out of these how many workers are gambling at the casinos, and more importantly, how has it had a negative impact upon their lives and livelihood? What is the percentage of foreign workers, relative to their numbers who face difficulties with their gambling addictions? 

Even though we acknowledge the importance of preventive measures to ensure the social ills of gambling are addressed before it spirals out of control, it is important that our response to these problems is based on available data. Foreign workers should not be banned from gambling at the casinos, as it has been suggested, since this would be discriminatory. However, there may be some like locals who need and want help with their gambling addictions. 

Before a moral panic develops, a needs assessment should be conducted to examine the prevalence of the problem to determine the types and amounts of assistance to be given. Otherwise we may end up scapegoating foreign workers and blaming them disproportionately for social ills which do not reflect the actual scale of the problem.