Illegal Gambling Act Singapore
Illegal Gambling Singapore Laws

Last Updated: October 12, 2014 – Singapore Parliament issued a ban for online gambling in citing protectionism of their youth in this “Remote Gambling Bill”. The bill has now passed and is requiring ISP blocks to betting sites. It is now considered illegal to play casino/poker/sports style betting on the internet with a S$5,000 fine and/or up to 6 months in jail. The following text below was prior to this Act, online gambling is now illegal aside from certain lotteries.

Before Gambling Became Illegal
Singapore is a gambling friendly country although it offers limited legal gambling options. The country’s gambling laws, being old and outdated, do not apply to online gambling and gambling experts say that the country has to legalize and regulate online gambling to protect vulnerable people such as gambling addicts, underage players, and problem gamblers, to discourage criminal activities, and to create a safe and fair gambling environment for its citizens. So far, Singapore has not created such laws.

Legal Gambling in Singapore

The lack of effective gambling laws in Singapore does not mean that its citizens are deprived of the pleasures of gambling in a licensed and well-regulated environment. Those fond of betting on sports events can avail of the services of Singapore Pools, a bookie service operated by the government. Singapore Pools accepts bets on national as well as international sports events either online or through telephone or mobile devices.

10) to be decided in accordance with Singapore law. (6) Any sum required by the Minister for paying compensation under subsection (4) shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. (7) If any doubt arises as to whether any act done under this section was in the public interest, a certificate signed by the Minister shall be conclusive evidence of. SINGAPORE — Proposed laws to regulate gambling on the Internet or via the phone were introduced in Parliament yesterday, with a distinct focus on protecting the young from its harmful effects.

Possession of Gambling Paraphernalia or Materials. The possession of any gambling paraphernalia and other materials used in the illegal numbers game operation shall be deemed prima facie evidence of any offense covered by this Act. Liability of Government Employees and/or Public Officials. a) If the collector, agent, coordinator.
The police arrested 15 men and seven women, aged between 28 and 80, during an enforcement operation against illegal gambling and betting on Saturday (Nov 28). The operation, which was conducted by Woodlands Police Division in Yishun and Woodlands estates, saw ten men, aged between 47 and 80, get arrested for offences under the Betting Act.

The Singapore Turf Club, which was launched as the Singapore Sporting Club in 1842, is another exciting option for sports bettors as it accepts bets on a wide range of international and national horse racing events.

Singapore also has a couple of licensed casinos, which offer a wide range of casino games, including poker.

Gambling Laws

Singapore has two important gambling laws — the Common Gaming Houses Act and the Betting Act. Both make it illegal for private companies and individuals to operate online as well as land-based bookie businesses within the country. According to these laws, the only legal way to bet on sports and horse racing events is to do so at either The Turf Club or The Singapore Pools.

The Betting Act was enacted in 1960 to curb illegal bookie businesses and to make the act of sports betting in public places illegal. The Common Gaming Houses Act was passed in 1961 with the same objective. Seven years later, the government created a monopoly called The Singapore Pools, which began offering lottery games, sweepstakes, and Toto. In 1999 and 2008, the government began permitting betting on football matches and Formula One racing events, respectively.

Casinos in Singapore

Casinos were legalized in Singapore only in 2006. Before that, Singapore had a small government-owned casino in Changi International Airport, which was launched to generate revenue from foreign tourists who had to pass through the airport.

In 2006, Singapore enacted its Casino Control Act, which permitted the establishment of two full-fledged brick-and-mortar casinos in the country. These casinos, called the Resorts World and the Marina Bay Sands, are regulated by the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore.

Online Sports Betting

Though legalized, online sports betting is heavily restricted in Singapore, as a result of which the country’s only legal online sportsbook is The Singapore Pools. Interestingly, there is nothing to stop citizens of Singapore from registering at offshore online bookies such as Bet365, William Hill, and Ladbrokes.

The two major gambling laws of Singapore, the Common Gaming Houses Act and the Betting Act, were enacted long before the days of the Internet. They, therefore, do not apply to any form of online or mobile gaming. There is no statement in Singapore’s law books, which specifically says that it is illegal for residents to bet on sports events at offshore online sportsbooks. This leaves citizens free to use the services of offshore online bookies.

Gambling is tightly controlled in Singapore so if you’re living in the country it’s important to be aware of the current situation.

Check out the key info you need to know if you want to gamble online in our guide to Singapore gambling below.

Key Facts: Online Gambling In Singapore

Most forms of gambling technically illegal in Singapore.
Regulated by Ministry of Home Affairs & Gambling Suppression branch of police force.
Some legalised offline gambling in casinos, with Singapore Turf Club & Totalisator Board.
Singapore Pools the only legal online gambling site.
Players have been prosecuted for using international sites.

Note: if you’re living in Singapore we do not recommend using international sites for online gambling. Prison time and hefty fines await those caught and prosecuted for doing so.

Gambling Timeline: Laws & Legislation

Singapore has a great deal of legislation related to gambling, most of which deals with the prohibition of the activity. The following timeline covers the main examples of that legislation:

1960 – Betting Act

In 1960, Singapore passed the Betting Act in order to ‘suppress common betting-houses, betting in public places and bookmaking’. The act essentially prohibits all of those activities, but does allow leeway for certain organisations to be exempted from the act by the relevant authorities.

1961 – Common Gaming Houses Act

Similar to the Betting Act, the 1961 Common Gaming Houses Act was designed for the ‘suppression of common gaming houses, public gaming and public lotteries’. Once again, the ability for authorities to grant exemptions was enshrined within the act.

1998 – Singapore Turf Club Exemption

It was in 1998 that the Singapore Turf Club was granted its exemption from the 1960 Betting Act. This allowed the organisation to offer and to advertise horse racing betting in Singapore, Malaysia or overseas at approved locations.

2004 – Singapore Totalisator Board Exemption

Six years later in 2004, the Singapore Totalisator Board was granted its own exemption from the Betting Act. This exemption allowed the organisation to carry out lotteries and to offer football betting on matches at home and abroad as well as a selection of further sports betting.

2006 – Casino Control Act

Singapore’s 2006 Casino Control Act made provision for the operation and regulation of casinos within Singapore. It stipulated that only two casinos could be licensed, introduced certain levies which had to be paid by players at those casinos and established organisations to combat problem gambling.

2014 – Remote Gambling Act

It is Singapore’s 2014 Remote Gambling Act which essentially makes all online gambl

Illegal Gambling Singapore Law