‘Shut down all but one 4D outlet’
The Gamblers Rehab Centre says Malaysia has too many gaming houses.
PETALING JAYA: The Gamblers Rehab Centre Malaysia (GRC) has urged the government to limit 4D licences to just one gaming house.
Speaking to FMT, GRC president Mosco Ang said the problem of gambling in the country was worsening.
“We not only have legal gambling, but we also have illegal gambling outlets opening here and there, attracting all layers of society,” he said.
He was responding to a statement issued yesterday by Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong and Seremban MP Anthony Loke.
Liew and Loke, both of DAP, said they were disappointed that the government had decided to maintain special 4D draws. The statement was follow-up on a press conference they had last November, during which they said there was a tendency among low income earners to spend money on lottery tickets in the hope of getting rich quickly.
Since 1999, the finance ministry has allowed special draws to be held on certain Tuesdays. The profits become government revenue.
Ang said the government should not only stop special draws, but also reduce the number of 4D gaming houses in the country.
“We have so many different gaming houses,” he said. “In the peninsula alone, you have three 4D gaming houses. Sabah and Sarawak they have their own 4D gaming houses.
“There are hardcore gamblers who would buy numbers legally and there are those who buy through the black market even in Singapore.”
Ang acknowledged that it was difficult to stop gambling altogether, but he said the government should no longer allow so many different 4D gaming houses to operate.
“Put a stop to their licences, force them to consolidate so that there is only one gaming outlet,” he said.
“For many, if they buy numbers at one outlet, they will feel the need to buy numbers at another outlet as they are afraid the numbers they are buying will come out at one of the other 4D gaming houses.”
Ang said he knew of people who would spend more than RM20,000 a month just on 4D gambling and would borrow money from loan sharks to fund their habit.
He said some people tended to gamble more when times were hard, believing one big payout could resolve all their problems.
“We have a number of cases where they gamble and gamble till they have nothing left or no one else to turn to,” he said. “That’s when they come for rehabilitation at GRC.”
Rehabilitation at GRC lasts three months. Meals are provided.
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