AD CAMPAIGN TO TAKE PLACE DURING EUROS
Public education and outreach efforts by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) willl be strengthened during the tournament, said MHA and MSF.
Advertisements will be shown on TV, in newspapers, out-of-home screens, as well as digital and social media platforms to caution the public about the harms of excessive football betting.
“It is easy to get carried away with the placement of bets amidst the excitement of games. We urge everyone to exercise personal responsibility and encourage family members, neighbours and friends to keep a lookout for those who may be affected by problem gambling,” said Mr Sim Gim Guan, chairman of NCPG.
NCPC will run a campaign, alongside the ads, on various platforms from TV to social media and utilise digital banners to warn of the risks of betting with illegal operators. Collaterals will also be distributed at community events.
The authorities urged the public not to place bets with illegal gambling operators and to exercise responsibility when gambling.
“Family members, friends and the community also play an important role in encouraging those with gambling addiction to seek help,” MHA and MSF said, adding that problem gamblers can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1800-6-668-668 or use the webchat on NCPG’s website.
Anyone found guilty of conducting unlawful gambling faces a fine of up to S$500,000 and jail of up to seven years. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to S$700,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Those found guilty of gambling with an unlicensed service provider face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Mediacorp’s Channel 5 will show four Euro 2024 group-stage matches for free and simulcast on the meWATCH streaming service. The four games – Spain vs Croatia, Denmark vs England, Turkiye vs Portugal and France vs Poland – will kick off at 12am Singapore time.