A millionaire’s son in Malaysia who started gambling at the age of 16 accumulated losses of up to S$3.4 million by the time he was 19.
In a news report on the star online, the boy’s father was a compulsive gambler who lost millions in foreign football bets over the internet before his son picked up the habit.
According to Klang Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo, who was unable to coax the teenager to come forward to relate his gambling spree, the teen grew up watching his father gamble and at the age of 16, gambling agents gave him a credit line of S$42,000.
Said Teh, “His father bailed him out each time he went into debt. He would lie to his father that he needed money for his college fees but used it to pay gambling agents.”
The final straw came when the losses hit S$3.4 million. The father, in his 50s, barred him from gambling and stopped his son from attending college. He is said to be working for his father now.
What makes people, especially teens, start gambling? Is it ‘hereditary’?
The incident will certainly raise some concern in Singapore.
With the opening of the two Integrated Resorts, the gambling bug has hit Singaporeans despite the S$100 casino levy imposed.
A Straits Times report on 19 May indicated that the two casino operators, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, have collected about S$70 million in entry levies as of 10 May since they opened.
What makes people, especially teens, start gambling? Are they lured by the temptation of taking a shortcut to making it big?
Or does nurture play a role? The incident in Malaysia seems to indicate so.
Parents play an important role in their children’s lives and should set a good example for their kids to follow.
A father-son relationship is all about a boy emulating his father. In order for this to be an effective relationship, a father must be a good role model to his son. As the old saying goes, like father, like son.
Rich parents...
Got a "Gold Mountain" of fortune to burnt...
at least they got millions to lose leh !!!!!
with that kind of money and still lose on football, the boy is dumb !!!
if i got 3.4 million to bet on football, i can guarantee at least 25% profit every year !!!
3.4m can buy 2 semi-d already!!! and rent it out... omg.... wonder how much is his pocket money...