Lottery Singapore is a state-owned lottery subsidiary company and the only operator that is legally allowed to run lotteries in the country. Its regulated and organized games include the 4-D and Toto lottery and the pre-printed sports betting game Singapore Sweep. It is also the sole legal bookmaker and totalisator for association football and motor racing bets.
A Gojek driver who asked to be identified only as Mr Cho said he typically places bets of up to $400 per week on football games at the Singapore Pools outlet near his home in Ang Mo Kio. He is an avid fan of Manchester United, and his most recent bet on a Premier League match yielded him a profit of $900.
In his 20 years of gambling, he has won more than a dozen Singapore Pools Group 1 & 2 prizes. “I’ve been very lucky. Sometimes, you just have to take the chance.”
According to police figures released earlier this month, more than 55 people have lost a combined SG$507,000 (US$376,896) to lottery scammers who claim to be from religious organisations. They trick victims into sending their money to the scammers, who then ask for a higher sum or pay various administrative fees. In the end, the scammers delay or even fail to transfer the winnings and then disappear. The public has been advised to be extra vigilant and avoid unsolicited messages. It is also advisable to seek verified lottery information from official channels like the Singapore Pools website or its mobile apps.