A survey carried out by the Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counselling Centre and the Christian and Missionary Alliance Kei Yam Church found that families of gamblers were prone to suffer from psychotic disorders, and live in fear and insecurity, reports The Standard.
The survey showed that 90 percent of family members of gamblers suffered from psychiatric disorders. Additionally, one in four families interviewed had member of the family who gamble.
More youngsters have also turned to gambling, with a 60 percent increase in gambling addicts under the age of 20.
Horse racing was the most popular addiction for gamblers, followed by football and casinos.
The group is seeking for the government to raise the legal age of gambling to 21 and also put betting branches at less “convenient” locations.
Photo: Shankar S., Flickr
