Protect children from gambling activities in public areas
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i extracted this from the straits times forum.
Singapore is fast becoming a gambler's haven, what with hundreds of gambling booths spread across the island accepting bets on 4D, TOTO, horse-racing and soccer matches and very soon, two casinos to further enhance that image.
So be it. But if we must accept institutionalised gambling as a neccesary evil, then the least we can do is to keep it out of reach as well as out of view of children.
Last Saturday, my six-year -- old grandson and I were at a supermarket where we had difficulty getting around due to a long winding queue originating from a 4D/TOTO betting booth inside it.
Curious, my grandson asked what all those people were lining up for and I said, 'They are gambling,' knowing that he would understand as the concept of the game of chance is already familiar to him.
He thought for a moment and popped the next question: 'But why are they doing it in the supermarket?'. I knew what the answer might be but thought it best not to confuse his insatiably inquisitive mind. Instead,I promised him I'd find out.
Notwithstanding the notice to keep out children under 18, these betting booths are just too conspicuous for young children, pandering as they do to an adult indulgence which, deep down, we're not proud of.
It's clear that these booths have been carefully planted to make betting expedient for all but surely a supermarket, where there is bound to be children around, is hardly the place for it.
Similarly, many shop premises in the heartland that have been converted into betting booths are out of place as underaged youngsters can often be seen loitering in them.
These highly visible 'mini-casinos' are an antithesis to the personal and social values parents are trying so hard to inculcate in their children.
I think we can, nay we must, be more discreet. Shielding children from gambling activities must take precedence over catering to the expediency of gamblers.
I hope the authorities will take steps to correct this apparent contradiction. -
i feel that he should explain it to his grandson instead of evading the question.
we must learn to accept that gambling is part of our lives. when kids grow up they will know about it anyhow. why delay the inevitable?
it is important for parents who are concerned about the gambling issue to teach their children while they are young. -
someone just told me she read/heard (can't rem) from somewhere a boy gamble in school and when caught comment Singapore already legalise gambling, y school have not? (something like that)
sigh.....hope my kids don't ask me y govt already say gambling is ok...i still say cannot.. -
gahmen policy now is to promote gambling, like dat day's tnp full page article on some uni boy who made money by gambling using what he learnt on game theory. on the side got highlighted tips on how to win money.
what to do.
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Accept the fate! Nwadays which kid dun koe wat is 4D, toto, so and so... Its juz so common, almost like Mac... everywhere oso hve.
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Very stressful to live here...such a small place with so much 'nonsense'....
wat to do??
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did u explain to him about the birds and the bees too?
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brainwash ppl to go casinoOriginally posted by Ito_^:gahmen policy now is to promote gambling, like dat day's tnp full page article on some uni boy who made money by gambling using what he learnt on game theory. on the side got highlighted tips on how to win money.
what to do. 
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we must prepare the kids for the casino.
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Must be bitten by the small ones then won't fall for the BIG ONE (building casino)!
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Talk cock leh, machiam other country don't have lottery and casinos like that. Singapore this, singapore that.
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i will teach my children all sorts of gambling stuff when they are still young.
when grow up they become god of gambler -
Its because of parents like this, children watch flawless cartoon shows and think the whole goddanm world is a perfect place.
Come on! Face up to reality! i would seriously let my children watch sex and pornography videos after that we will go to bed naked -
Originally posted by chronicles:Its because of parents like this, children watch flawless cartoon shows and think the whole goddanm world is a perfect place.
Come on! Face up to reality! i would seriously let my children watch sex and pornography videos after that we will go to bed naked 
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we need to groom the next Gambling King therefore we need to start early... Otherwise everything will be given away to the 'FT'. Maybe there will be tapes with gambling sounds for preggies to play to their unborn babies...
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erm i have to sort of agree with the first sentence. whats wrong with introducing the realities of life to children anyway?Originally posted by chronicles:Its because of parents like this, children watch flawless cartoon shows and think the whole goddanm world is a perfect place.
Come on! Face up to reality! i would seriously let my children watch sex and pornography videos after that we will go to bed naked -
cause they have no way to rationalize some things, they simply absorb and accept. Its not good parenting as exercising judgement i place of the children is a necessary fact of life.. Until they can understand and explantion is given to them, hence its simply to imbue the right guidance and not simply allow free and full access to everything adults have and do. Easily said than done.