National Council of Churches of Singapore N HR RIE RE Penal bean pct 49 October 2016 Appendix A Dear Pastor, Letter To Member Churchos Regarding Remote Gambling Platforms (01 5 October 2016, the National Council of Churches issued a statement expressing ks concern that tha govamment has authorsed two operators 0 provide online ‘gambling srviees. The Counc urged the government to review ths decision. Subsequent to the statement, representatives fom the Counc had a candid and Important faoe-o‘ece discussion with the Minsty of Home Affairs (MHA) and the NMnsty of Social and Family Development (MSF). Both ihe government and the ‘Counc agree tnatpuble poltias should sara tne bec terete of society and the ‘common good ‘The Counc recognises tht the governments decison to alw authorised operators to provide onine beting services under stingent contols and safeguards is a Judgement cal.” Given the data on the curert remote gambing landscape, Hw {government deems this to Be the best aperosch to mitigate civng remote gambling Beivies underground and exacerbating law and order cancsms. The government ‘cknowedges the Courcl's deep concem about the negative socal consequences Of legasing two remote gaming platforms, ard wil regularly mentor the overall impact. ‘The goverment explained that by alowing certain operators to provide ontine gambing serves, t was not sending ‘conusing and eonficing signals. Ths is Because the Remote Gaming Act (RGA) of 2014 does contain the provision for ‘exempt operators. The. Government had explained in 2044, when the Act was [passed that thre wil be some exemptions given, because the government dd aot {fink 2 complete ban wil work The RGA, Inching the provision of exempt Operates, was alsaussed wih social service laade's and representatives from ‘elgious bodies at the tine before it was tabled and passed by Parismentn 2014 “Toe government maintains tet slowing exemt operators o provide online gambling senveee under sringent controls fe the best approach to mit and contain any ‘averse socal consequences. This conclusion is based on the studies cn the socal Impact of gambling that tne government has documented and is assessment of possble scenarios wih and without he valve’ of controled exempt operates. ‘The Councl, however, expresses its reservations about this conctusion forthe folowing reasons ‘+ Research on this area is stil nascent ‘+ Statistes often do cet tll the whole story or presenta complet picture becausa they are confined to tangibes that can be erpincaly observed and documented ‘+The personal and socal impacts of gambling, however, ave often much deeper ‘and more profound. They have to da win dysunctionaty, pain, anguish ond Ser sistas of mind that are net easly clscerned and mosiy cannot be measure. 7 re ae rene sinbctiwane olny mene Da Bay ih rt" B18 onan+The femiy and social fabric of our mation is curently nol strong encugh (© Provide the needed safeguards agent problem garblng and socal ils brought ‘en by abst conroled legalsing of onine gaming, “The Counct eis pointed out thatthe long working hours and te hectic pace f fe in ‘Singapore have already taken the tall on tne family. The legalisation of onine ‘gambling may lead to more adverse consequences for famly Ife, ncuding providing Boor rte modes for our youth and could even ave a negative effect on some work fenvronments, Hence, the Coun’ cal fo te government io review is decsion implement fe ‘exempt operators provision nthe RGA wih stil contals, (On its part the goverment is wiling to proactively strengen te femly and socal fenvirenment fo prevent and milate the hernfl consequances of crime gambling ‘The government proposes to meet NCCS foders in tree to six months! fine to take this rer, ‘Addressing the whole lesue of remote gambing, the NCCS intends ‘ohne the {owing 1. Form a Task Force to explore (a) possbe strategies to strengthen the farsly and cur socal fabric to mibgete the harmful eects of gambing, especialy the {emplation of online gambing; (2) ow to care for and rstare probiam gamblers wihin cur own congregations and those beyond our membership: (©) ways of working with the Roman Cathate Church, oer fein communties and the goverment on tis area. 2, Publish a Tract on Gambling thet can be placed inthe hands of every church rmomber and ean be used ese Sass fr teaching and dscussion en tho subject, '8. Monitor the situation of anine gambling closely with the help of member churches sd provide feedback othe gavervment ‘The NOCS sees the socil challnge of conling the dangers of garbing as an ‘opportunity forthe church and offer nlermedlate orgrisatons in society to play iis Fale in nation baling, W appreciates and upholds the space given fo the Counel ned tther responsible bocles fo voice thelr views and concems without boing ch 3 Ealsion course withthe governing authortes. Whe NCCS has engaged his pubic ‘Square ssue athe instufonal evel withthe auhortes, lt sckrowedges that thre fa cher ways for the clizenry t0 convey fe feodbeck and soncame tthe fevernent ‘The Council wil aways endeavour to play Its part as a responsible intermediate organisation fo seck the welfare of our cy-state and fo work together wih the ‘government and other egious and grassroots organisations fo promote the common ‘eed end the duabily ofa commendable qually of Ke for our peop ‘Sincerely in hrs, fe " > orca =e