Mr Sow is far from alone.
While the overall gambling rate among Singapore residents aged 18 and above is on a downward trend, illegal online gambling is on the rise, according to the latest survey conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Illegal online gambling increased by 0.7 percentage points to 1 per cent in the survey released on Thursday (Nov 28), which aligns with rising global trends, said the council.
Of the over 3,000 residents polled, 40 per cent participated in gambling – the lowest rate in 18 years. 4D and TOTO continued to be the most popular types of gambling activities.
SIMILAR TO ALCOHOL, DRUG ADDICTION
According to Blessed Grace Social Services, hearing from ex-gamblers is one way to encourage those trying to kick the addiction.
The non-profit said 50 per cent of its original group have stayed on to spur others to turn their lives around.
Apart from support groups, the organisation also provides counselling and helps to negotiate repayment plans.
It was founded in 2014 by Pastor Billy Lee, who had gamblers going to his church in “desperate situations” and financial ruin.
“When they first come … they know that they have a problem, but they can’t get out of their addiction on their own,” he pointed out.
“They have tried many times to stop gambling, but they can’t because now they have really fallen into this addiction where the neurotransmitters in their brains have really been rewired, and they have become compulsive gamblers.”