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New Gambling Reality for Singapore
By Shane Addinall Aug 11, 2022 LegalityThe city-state shows impressive economic recovery following pandemic slumps and the new laws come into effect just in time to boost this even further.The first day of August marked the enforcement of Singapore’s updated gambling legislation. Since the beginning of the month, gamblers from the region can safely participate in various forms of wagering with clear guidelines on land-based, online, and social games of chance.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced the change-over as the newly formed Gambling Regulatory Authority replaces the former Casino Regulatory Authority. The changes follow concerns raised by members of parliament about innovations in gambling and technology.
Laws passed in March this year are now effective and comprise the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act (GRA Act) and the Gambling Control Act (GC Act).
A New Gambling Regulator
The new laws outline several changes for Singapore’s gambling industry, including a new inspectorate. From 1 August 2022, the new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) replaced the former regulatory body known as the Casino Regulatory Authority. Along with the inspectorate’s restructuring, the legislation details a broader spectrum of control to include all forms of gambling. The Ministry of Home Affairs wrote in its press release:
“The GRA Act establishes the GRA as the single regulator for all forms of gambling in Singapore. This allows the Government to more effectively stay ahead of technological and gambling trends, respond more adequately to emerging gambling products, and take a more holistic and coherent approach to gambling policies.”
In partnership with the country’s Ministry of Social and Family Development, the GRA aims to protect Singaporeans from the harmful effects of gambling. Although the new regulator has jurisdiction over all forms of gambling, the country’s police force continues with its duties against illegal gambling activities.
Risk Analysis and Accountability
Lawmakers approached the new regulations from a risk-calibrated perspective. The new legislation includes changes for licensing regimes, class-licensed activities, and rules on social gambling. Penalties for contraventions align with the risk-tier system and include three levels of sanctions.
The GC Act enables the new regulator to issue operator licenses to companies that provide betting and lottery services, gambling rooms, and private gambling establishments. It is the regulator’s responsibility to ensure licensees are fit and proper to provide games of chance and the GRA must monitor their operations.
A class-licensed sub-category specifies what constitutes low-risk gambling products and which businesses do not need licenses. These include business activities such as promotional lucky draws. Guidelines on social gambling among family and friends specify that these types of gatherings must take place in a family home. Approved social gambling activities exclude online platforms.
Penalty structures for offenders range from high to low, differentiating between players, affiliates, and operators. According to the new laws, operators have the highest accountability in upholding the regulations, while players have the lowest accountability.
Strengthened Social Responsibility
In line with the government’s goal to protect its citizens from increased gambling harms, underaged gambling is now a criminal offence with licensed and offshore operators. Similarly, excluded players face persecution if they attempt to enter any gambling facility, including online. This does not refer to self-excluded gamblers.
Furthermore, the GC Act prohibits proxy gambling as the decision maker circumvents entry checks, creating an opportunity for banned individuals. The updated laws present an opportunity for punters in Singapore to enjoy a safer gambling space while operators take more accountability.
Singapore joins the nations around the globe that regulate gambling to protect their citizens and adds this advantage to their already healthy economy. The International Monetary Fund recently praised the city-state for its impressive economic recovery results.
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