Singapore Is Preparing to Consolidate Its Gambling Administrative Infrastructure

17.04.2020, 12:03

Currently, Singapore’s gambling activity is supervised by several governing bodies, each with their own responsibilities. For instance, the Casino Regulatory Authority’s (CRA’s) jurisdiction covers all land-based casinos within the nation, but it doesn’t oversee remote venues or slots. Rather, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) covers them via its “Gambling Regulatory Unit.” If a business that offers gambling services is found to have been engaged in illegal practices, Singapore’s Police Force is the governing authority that enforces any applicable penalties.  And, finally, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) makes sure that advertising is socially responsible. 

In early April, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) gave a publicized statement expressing that it’s in the process of establishing a Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Essentially, the MHA is going to expand the power belonging to the CRA and enable it to supervise the whole gambling industry within the nation.  What’s more, the MHA is going to audit, and potentially adjust, all legislation that is in any way related to gambling. This will all be complete before 2021. 

In an official statement, the MHA expressed that their current method of regulating the gambling market has so far had satisfactory results. “Problem gambling” is at a manageable level. Furthermore, crimes that are related to gambling in any way do not happen very frequently. In fact, between 2011 and 2019, gambling-related arrests have lowered by a total of 28%. 

However, the MHA noted that technological developments have changed the gaming industry and that their legislation needs to be updated to account for these new gambling elements. Merging administrative power into one authoritative agency will ensure that the GRA can operate more efficiently and holistically.  

The GRA is going to collaborate with the MSF, as well as the National Council on Problem Gambling, in order to make sure that it is properly addressing social safeguards of gambling. The Singapore Police Force will continue to enforce laws regarding illegal gambling. 

The MHA, rather than the GRA, is going to review and adjust the existing gambling legislation throughout the rest of 2020. The press release gave the example of “loot boxes” as one type of product that will be studied. These boxes are games that rely on chance, rather than skill. The participants simply purchase a box that contains unknown items. Perhaps the items are valuable to the game, or perhaps not.

Furthermore, the MHA is going to review their current offense penalties and ensure that there is consistency between the punishments for remote and land-based infractions.

The MHA gave the readers assurance that, despite updates to the regulatory framework, it will still remain generally prohibitive towards gambling. The organization has always implemented a risk-based approach when dealing with licensees, and it will continue to do so even after the legislation is amended. 

Throughout 2020, the MHA will continue to release more information on the changes it is making to Singapore’s gambling regulatory framework. Stakeholders, such as operators, will be notified about these changes. Currently, Singapore only has two licensed casino operators, Genting Singapore and Las Vegas Sands. The MHA will also keep in communication with various social service organizations, religious groups, and the general public.