4D, Toto to be suspended by Singapore Pools

Starting next week, Singapore Pools will suspend all lottery draws and shut outlets to align with the tightened measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, it said on Saturday (April 4).

It will continue to conduct 4D lottery draws scheduled for this weekend, and suspend subsequent 4D draws.

Meanwhile, the Toto lottery draw scheduled next Monday will be cancelled. Singapore Pools urged those who have placed bets on this draw to hold on to their tickets, adding that it will provide more information on refunds. Subsequent Toto draws will also be suspended.

Local horse racing at the Singapore Turf Club will also be suspended from next Tuesday. Coupled with the cessation of recent global sports events, Singapore Pools will not be offering sports betting and wagering.

With the suspension of the lottery draws, all Singapore Pools' outlets will be closed, and its account betting service will be suspended from next Tuesday till further notice.

Prize payment services will continue to be available until next Monday, it added. The prize claim period will be extended and more information on the extension will be provided at a later date.

"Singapore Pools is committed to operating in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with guidelines from the multi-ministry task force."

"We seek our customers' understanding that these measures are necessary for their safety and well-being. We thank them for their continuing support," Singapore Pools said.

In a press conference on Friday, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore Pools would be closed after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a month-long "circuit breaker" to curb the Covid-19 outbreak. All workplaces, except those providing essential services, would be closed from April 7 to May 4.

lamminlee@asiaone.com