The Singaporean legislative body has approved a new regulation that will alter the way gambling is overseen. This legislation was endorsed on its second review.
The new regulation will establish a fresh entity known as the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore. This organization will assume the responsibilities of various other governmental bodies that presently regulate gambling. These agencies encompass the Casino Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Gambling Regulatory Division, the Singapore Totalisator Board, and the Singapore Police Force.
The new entity will be directed by 17 individuals who will be designated by the Singapore Minister for Home Affairs. Each member can serve for a maximum duration of three years.
This new organization will possess the authority to grant, renew, and revoke licenses for gambling enterprises. It will also have the capacity to impose penalties on individuals who violate the law.
The Republic of Singapore updated its Casino Control Act in 2006, which included definitions for betting and betting operators, as well as for those excluded from participation.
Individuals who participate in or provide illegal betting services, including proxy wagering, face a penalty of up to S$500,000 and a seven-year term of imprisonment, while repeat offenders face a penalty of up to S$700,000 and a ten-year term of imprisonment.
The Act will punish illegal gambling conducted in physical locations or online, with the specific offense of “proxy gambling” carrying a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
Permits will be issued for various types of gambling activities, including arcade-style games, specific types of betting operations and lotteries, and certain gambling facilities. Individuals applying for license renewals will need to pay unspecified application or renewal fees.
The Singaporean government stated that the new Act was necessary to “keep pace with technological advancements” as the boundaries between gambling and other forms of gaming have become unclear.
The Act has been approved and will be sent to the President’s Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) to ensure it does not discriminate against any racial or religious groups. After the PCMR reviews the Act, it will be submitted to the President for signature into law.
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