4-D is the most popular gambling pastime in Singapore, with 53% of Singaporeans participating in the lottery, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. In the survey conducted between December 2004 and February 2005, Singapore residents aged 18 and above were asked about their participation in gambling activities over the last 12 months. Among those who gambled, 64% started with 4-D and 78% began regular gambling with it. 4-D was also the most popular gambling activity among probable pathological gamblers.
Background
4-D was introduced in the 1980s as a four-digit lottery held on the weekends. In the lottery, players place their bet on any number combination from 0000 to 9999 out of which 23 winning numbers will be picked. On 9 August 2000, a Wednesday draw was added to the 4-D calendar. On 16 June 2005, Singapore Pools launched the iBet system, a cheaper way to place bets on all permutations of four-digit numbers. The biggest 4-D win was S$14 million won by a man in his 40s during a draw in September 2005. His bet for a single draw was estimated to be between S$4,667 and S$7,000.
The quest for lucky numbers
It is common to see motorists slowing down at accident sites to take down the registration numbers of accident vehicles for their 4-D bets. Punters are also known to flock to remote parts of Singapore and Malaysia to pray to deities reputed for giving winning numbers. Recently, punters turned up at the funerals and murder sites of Huang Na and Liu Hong Mei, the victims in two high-profile murder cases, to pray and seek lucky numbers. Outside Fulushou Complex at Rochor Road, many gathered to hear an elderly man talk about picking winning numbers. Others visited websites for strategies to beat the odds. In 2002, many Singaporeans kept the Luohan fish, rumoured to be a lucky fish, to decipher their spots and markings for lucky numbers. Many aquariums sprung up to cash in on the craze and the most expensive breed reportedly fetched US$320,000.
4-D in the news
On 7 March 2005, a man plagued by gambling debts jumped to his death after killing his family. In his suicide note to his pastor, he wrote about a painful miss after betting his last chance on 4-D. On 17 February 2006, the government announced cash handouts of S$200 to S$800 to Singaporeans. When polled, some Singaporeans indicated that they will spend the money on 4-D. This mentality caused some members of parliament to question the effectiveness of these handouts in helping needy Singaporeans. Two recent high-profile crimes were also linked to 4-D. On 7 February 2006, a man armed with a semi-automatic pistol fired a shot at a security guard after robbing a lottery outlet at Sembawang. A week later, a nightclub owner was murdered in execution style over an alleged 4-D betting dispute.
Timeline
10 Apr 1943 : Tickets for the Konan Saiken, a lottery held by the Japanese and Singapore's first-ever state lottery, went on sale.
23 May 1968 : Singapore Pools Pte Ltd was established as Singapore's legal lottery operator.
23 May 1968 : Singapore Pools Pte Ltd was established as Singapore's legal lottery operator.
26 May 1986 : 4-D was sold using a computerised system.
9 Aug 2000 : Wednesday run of 4-D started.
16 Jun 2005 : iBet was introduced.
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia
References
Chang, C. (2006, March 1). What if they spend on 4D. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Chia, D. (2005, July 12). They wanted to gawk at her. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Chong, C. K. (2005, October 20). Gambling addiction leads to family's tragic end. The Straits Times. Retrieved January 27, 2011, from NewspaperSG..
Chong, E. (2006, February 10). Man charged with firing at security guard in robbery bid. The Straits Times. Retrieved on January 27, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Chuan qi zhong jiang gu shi li lai zui da yin jia nan zi zhong wan zi piao 1400 wan yuan [Microfilm: NL 26589]. (2006, January 7). Lian He Zao Bao, p. 19.
Even without a casino, Singaporeans love gambling to death. (2005, April 17). Agence France Presse. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Fong, T. (2004, December 25). H - Huang Na's death leaves lasting impact [Microfilm: NL 25886]. The Straits Times, Special report, p. 4.
4-D and the sick [Microfilm: NL 26293]. (2005, June 26). The Sunday Times, p. 24.
Gambling - a history pool [Microfilm: NL 20270]. (1998, September 19). The Straits Times, Life, p. 4.
Kor, K. B. (2006, February 28). Eyes of an executioner. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Leong, C. (2005, June 10). Betting junkies, this is your lucky day [Microfilm: NL 26324]. Today, p. 1.
Leong, C. T. (2002, November 3). Odds, if you think you can beat odds [Microfilm: NL 24755]. The Straits Times, p. 33.
Lim, J. (2005, January 31). Confessions of a luohan fish seller. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Lim, J. (2005, July 18). Please let me strike 4-D. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Long, S. (2005, July 2). Beast within gambling [Microfilm: NL 26339]. The Straits Times, Special report, p. 9.
Luohan fish is big business in Asia. (2003, February 7). Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. (2005, April 13). More than half of Singapore gambles; but only 2 in 100 at risk of gambling addiction. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from http://www.mcys.gov.sg/MCDSFiles/Press/Articles/SporeGambles.pdf
Ng, A. (2006, February 4). $800 missing from temple [Microfilm: NL 26617]. Today, p. 6.
Nur Dianah Suhaimi and Loo, J. (2006, February 19). What Sporean's will do with money? The Straits Times. Retrieved on January 27, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Singapore Pools. (2004). How to play 4-D. Retrieved March 30, 2006, from http://www.singaporepools.com.sg/Lottery?page=four_d_howtoplay&area=intro
Singapore Pools. (2004). Milestones. Retrieved March 30, 2006, from http://www.singaporepools.com.sg/en/corporate/milestones.html
Tan, M. (2006, February 28). It's my brother's good luck shrine. The New Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from Factiva database.
The information in this article is valid as at 2006 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
