4-D : Singapore’s most popular gambling pastime

By Chia, Joshua Yeong Jia written on 2007-01-12
National Library Board Singapore

Comments on article: InfopediaTalk

4-D is the most popular gambling pastime with 53% of Singaporeans participating in the lottery.  64% of the gamblers first started with 4-D and 78% began regular gambling with it.  4-D is also the most popular gambling activity among probable pathological gamblers. 

Background
Introduced in the `80s, 4-D is 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. Starting from 9 Aug 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 bet on all permutations of 4 numbers.  The biggest 4-D win was $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 $4,667 and $7,000.   

The quest for lucky numbers
It is a common sight to see motorists slowed down at accident sites to take down the registration numbers of accident vehicles for their 4-D bets.  Punters were also known to flock remote parts of Singapore and Malaysia to pray to deities reputed for giving winning numbers.  After the recent high-profile murder cases, punters turned up at the funerals and murder sites of Huang Na and Liu Hong Mei to pray and seek lucky numbers. Outside Fulushou complex at Rochor Rd, many gathered to hear an elderly man talked about picking winning numbers. Still, others visited websites for strategy to beat the odds.  In 2002, many Singaporeans kept the Luohan fish, rumoured to be 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 this 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 $200 to $800 to Singaporeans.  When polled, some Singaporeans indicated that they will spent the money on 4-D.  The mentality has caused some members of parliaments to question the effect 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
August 1943 : The Japanese held Singapores first state lotteries.
23 May 1968 : Singapore Pools Pte Ltd was established as Singapores legal lottery operator.
26 May 1986 : 4-D was sold using computerised system.
9 Aug 2000 : Wednesdays run of 4-D started.
16 June 2005 : iBet was introduced.



Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia



References
4-D and the sick. (2005, June 26). The Sunday Times , p. 24.

Chang, C. (2006, March 1).  What if they spend on 4D. The New Paper.

Chia, D. (2005, July 12).  They wanted to gawk at her. The New Paper .

Chong, C. K. (2005, October 20).  Gambling addiction leads to family's tragic end. The Straits Times.

Chong, E. (2006, February 10).  Man charged with firing at security guard in robbery bid.  The Straits Times.

Chuan qi zhong jiang gu shi li lai zui da yin jia nan zi zhong wan zi piao 1400 wan yuan. (2006, January 7). Lian He Zao Bao , p. 19.

Even without a casino, Singaporeans love gambling to death. (2005, April 17). Agence France Presse .

Fong, T. (2004, December 25).  H - Huang Nas death leaves lasting impact. The Straits Times, Special report, p. 4.

Gambling a history pool. (1998, September 19).  The Straits Times, Life, p. 4.

Kor, K. B. (2006, February 28).  Eyes of an executioner.  The New Paper.

Leong, C. (2005, June 10).  Betting junkies, this is your lucky day. Today, p. 1.

Leong, C. T. (2002, November 3).  Odds, if you think you can beat odds. The Straits Times, p. 33.

Lim, J. (2005, January 31).  Confessions of a luohan fish seller. The New Paper.

Lim, J. (2005, July 18).  Please let me strike 4-D. The New Paper.

Long, S. (2005, July 2).  Beast within gambling. The Straits Times, Special report, p. 9.

Luohan fish is big business in Asia. (2003, February 7). Channel NewsAsia.

Ng, A. (2006, February 4).  $800 missing from temple. Today, p. 6.

Nur Dianah Suhaimi and Loo, J. (2006, February 19).  What Sporeans will do with money. The Straits Times.

Tan, M. (2006, February 28).  Its my brothers good luck shrine. The New Paper. 

Ministry of Communication Development, Youth and Sports. (2005, April 13).  More than half of Singapore gambles; but only 2 in 100 at risk of gambling addiction. Retrieved Mar 29, 2006, from app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press.asp

Singapore Pools. (2004). How to play 4-D.  Retrieved Mar 30, 2006, from www.singaporepools.com.sg/Lottery?page=four_d_howtoplay&area=intro

Singapore Pools. (2004).  Milestones. Retrieved Mar 30, 2006, from www.singaporepools.com.sg/corporate?page=corp_milestones



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.


Subject
Recreation
Gambling -- Singapore
Law and government>>Regulatory role>>Gambling
Sports, recreation and travel>>Indoor games>>Games of chance

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