Online casinos in Singapore

Singapore Online Casino Legislation

Singapore: casino regulatory policy

A Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) has been created at the Ministry of the Interior ( MHA) to regulate the field of land-based casinos and NCPG for online gaming.

By part X of the Casino Control Act, the Minister appoints the National Council's composition on Problem Gambling: a chairman and 7–19 members. Currently, the NCPG has 18 members with experience in psychiatry and psychology, legal, social services, counseling, rehabilitation, and religious services.

The main functions of the Council: 

• provide advice to the Ministry of Social and Family Development on issues related to gambling; 
• appoint experts to make decisions on applications to exclude users from the casino and restrict visits to resources; 
• make exceptions to the casino, set limits on their games; 
• support and implement programs to address the problems of addiction; 
• provide counseling and prevention and treatment services for problem players and their families.

According to part 6 of the Remote Gambling Act, the Minister may authorize, for the consideration of appeals of Internet providers, financial institutions and users, to fulfill the obligations specified in part 5 of the law, such persons:

• Minister of State Singapore; 
• Police Officers; 
• civil servants who are not police officers; 
• IMDA (Office of Media Development) employees.

Currently, MHA is reviewing the rules for conducting gambling business in Singapore, transferring the functions of regulation and supervision of the gambling sector to a single regulatory body — CRA. Innovations should take effect by 2021.

The laws on gambling include the requirements: On Gambling Houses, On Betting, On Private Lotteries, On Casino Control (Casino Control Act 2006). The online segment is regulated by the Remote Gambling Act 2014 (Remote Gambling Act 2014).

Casino Licensing in Singapore

The Casino Control Act 2006 limits the number of licenses for integrated resorts to two already issued by the land-based casino Resorts World Sentosa (operator Genting International) and Marina Bay Sands (operator Las Vegas Sands). The validity of the permits was ten years, and then it was extended for another three years.

By Part 5 of the Remote Gambling Act 2014, the Minister of MHA has the right to issue a certificate of exemption from the law, which permits the organization of remote gambling in Singapore. 

A decision of the Minister can only issue a certificate. It also considers the absence of a criminal record by the applicant's administration and staff, their compliance with the regulatory requirements for remote gambling operators. The validity period of the Certificate indicated itself by the document, and it can extend.

The online sector represents two companies: Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club. On sites, you can bet on sports and horse racing, play the lottery. There are no slots, cards, and board games in Singapore online casinos.

After creating an account on the site, you can place bets online or by phone. Bets are allowed in cash (at points of sale of operators) or from the account.

The player does not pay for registration on online betting platforms and lotteries.

Players can make legal bets on the Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club sites. Remote Gambling Act of 2014 prohibits the use of different online casino sites.

Protecting Players at Singapore Online Casinos

The licensed sites of the country support the Responsible Gaming Program approved by the NCPG:

• ensuring fair and safe play; 
• counteraction to the occurrence of gambling addiction; 
• positioning gambling as a recreation and entertainment rather than a source of enrichment;
• Providing information on assistance to gambling addiction.

Singaporean citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners can apply for self-exclusion through the website, by mail, or in person at NCPG offices. Applications submitted within ten days.

Individuals are automatically excluded from the casino if they:

• went bankrupt; 
• receive financial assistance from the government; 
• have debt on rental housing for more than six months.

Automatic exclusion terminated if the player regains financial solvency and ceases to receive assistance from the state.

A player or his relatives have the right to apply for exclusion, such as in case of financial problems due to gambling. According to the player or his family members' statement, the restriction of access to the casino can establish.

Support contacts for players and addicted people

The sites provide the ability to call or write to operators.

The player can contact the NCPG.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development and the NCPG is responsible for developing and implementing measures to minimize gambling harm. NCPG's competency includes restricting access to gambling.

Users who need help resolving gambling problems advised contacting the National Support Service at 1800-6-668-668. On the NCPG website, the player can take a self-test.