S'pore woman, 55, lost all of mother's savings on gambling, jailed for embezzling company funds, husband sticks with her throughout

A female gambler who embezzled her company's funds and served five years in prison later lost all of her mother's savings to gambling as well.

It was only after her sister gave her a wake-up call that she turned over a new leaf.

Addicted to baccarat and blackjack

Ah Ying (not her real name), 55, told Shin Min Daily News that she first encountered baccarat and blackjack on a casino ship in 1997 and became addicted to them.

After the casino opened, she became even more engrossed, losing all her savings and then starting to embezzle money from her company.

She shared that she was "blinded" by her addiction and was not scared at that time. Now, she feels guilty for betraying the company's trust.

Ah Ying eventually filed for bankruptcy and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Got into online gambling

After her release, Ah Ying was unable to find a job and decided to make quick cash through online gambling.

She reportedly stole her mother's savings and eventually lost them all, even getting involved with loan sharks.

When her sister found out, she scolded Ah Ying for not changing my ways.

Her sister gave her an ultimatum to either pay for her sins with her life or seek help.

Sought help

With that push from her sister, Ah Ying sought help at the gambling rehabilitation centre, Blessed Grace Social Services, in 2022.

The centre provides counselling for gambling addicts and also has weekly sessions with those in the same plight.

The centre holds a bilingual (Chinese and English) gathering with about 70 gamblers, former gamblers, and their families attending to exchange ideas every Tuesday.

Reformed

Three years on, Ah Ying has successfully quit gambling and has also found a new job.

In addition to continuing to volunteer at the centre, she goes to prisons to encourage inmates with her own experience.

She has also returned all of her mother's savings and repaired her relationship with her sister.

Most of all, Ah Ying shared her gratitude to her husband, who has stayed beside her for the past 29 years, calling him an angel sent from God. She chastised herself for hurting him repeatedly in the past.